Posted by Rick Denney on September 08, 2003 at 11:37:39:
In Reply to: Omigosh, Look what I've... posted by Mary Ann on September 08, 2003 at 10:08:23:
Oh, yes, there are several G#'s in that piece. That last one is the killer--a very soft entrance on that note.
See if you can borrow a euphonium for it. It is completely legitimate in a historical context, and will sound just fine. Your mouthpiece will fit without duct tape. A big-bore compensating euphonium will sound better on the low accompaniment notes in the middle of the work, but those notes aren't solo and everything else is, so optimize for the solo.
A number of professional orchestral tuba players have it in their contract that the orchestra will hire a bona fide euphoniumist for the solo, or will at least give it to the second trombonist to play (on euphonium). I've heard a number of superior tuba players with years of experience have difficulties with it on F tuba.
The instrument used by many is the Alexander 151, which is a rotary tenor tuba pitched like a euphonium.
Rick "for whom six weeks would not be nearly enough" Denney