Posted by Rick Denney on November 13, 2002 at 11:27:06:
In Reply to: early tubists posted by Tim on November 12, 2002 at 18:32:30:
One of the very first virtuosos to achieve general fame for tuba playing was August Helleberg, but he comes from a time before recordings that could do the tuba any justice at all.
There were well-known players even before him. If you are really interested, you should seek out the second edition of The Tuba Family, but Clifford Bevan, published by Piccolo Press. Someone will have contact information, I'm sure, and it's in the archives.
Helleberg was perhaps the first to really demonstrate the artistic capabilities of the tuba in ways that expanded the conception the public had of the instrument.
Rick "who thinks the above statement leaves out far more than it includes" Denney