Ralph Vaughan Williams - Bass Tuba Concerto

[Robert Newman]

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Bass Tuba Concerto in F Minor (1954)
In 3 Movements
Soloist - Patrick Harrild (Bass Tuba)
London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor - Bryden Thomson
Chandos

First Movement -
1. Prelude. Allegro Moderato
http://www.mediafire.com/?nzgjndgmgty

Second Movement -
2. Romance - Andante Sostenuto
http://www.mediafire.com/?twzgzaf1qmm

Third Movement -
3. Presto
http://www.mediafire.com/?ugx5gdllmmk

This little concerto is by Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of England’s greatest composers. It was written in 1954 and is only just over 13 minutes long. A late work of his. I bring it to your attention because it’s so unusual. It was thought at the time it was just a display of eccentricity on behalf of the elderly composer. So it was rarely performed. After all, which ‘serious composer’ would write such a work ? But over time its been increasingly recognised to be a real masterpiece of the 20th century. Almost autobiographical with its composer, a great lover of nature and country life reflecting on a rapidly changing modern world.

//

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha Mr. Newman,

I've played it on my Contrabass Trombone with accompaniment provided by an organist who had transcribed the orchestral parts for organ. It a great piece which I love to play. Thanx for sharing about it.

Cheerio,

CD

 

[Robert Newman]

Great to hear this Corno Dolce ! Yes, it's a great piece - far more in this music than it first seems.

Regards

 

[marval]

Hi Robert,

Thank you for that, it is a lovely little piece. It is quite different to his other works, but it is interesting to listen to.


Margaret

 

[Art Rock]

I had that featured in the Unusual Concertos series on my blog (which I had to purge after complaints about offering MP3's). Great piece.

 

[Robert Newman]

Hi there Art Rock,

I'm glad we both like this and let's hope nobody complains.

Regards

Robert

 

[Kuhlau]

Why, when I play these files, does the name of Norman del Mar appear in the tag information as conductor?

Anyway, it's an entertaining work, certainly - it could be by Vaughan Williams and no one else. A slightly clearer recording of it exists on this CD, which also features the (IMO) superior Tuba Concerto by John Golland:

FK