Tuba Concerto (Vaughan Williams) Explained

The Concerto in F Minor for Bass Tuba and Orchestra by British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was written in 1954 for Philip Catelinet, principal tubist of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who together gave the premiere on 13 June 1954 with Sir John Barbirolli conducting.^[1] The same musicians made the work’s first recording that same year.^[2] This concerto was the first concerto written for solo tuba.^[3]

Composition and history

While at first viewed by critics as the eccentric idea of an aging composer, the concerto soon became one of Vaughan Williams' most popular works and an essential part of the tuba repertoire.^[4]

The work is in three movements:

1. Prelude: Allegro moderato
2. Romanza: Andante sostenuto
3. Finale - Rondo alla tedesca: Allegro

A performance commonly takes about 13 minutes. Apart from the solo tuba, the piece is scored for two flutes (2nd doubling on piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets (in B), bassoon, 2 horns (in F), 2 trumpets (in B), 2 trombones, timpani, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, and strings.

Recordings

The concerto has since received a large number of concert performances and recordings. Live performances include those by Arnold Jacobs,^[5] William Bell,^[6] and Roger Bobo.^[7]

In addition to the first recording by Catelinet and the LSO, other recordings of the concerto have featured the following artists:

• John Fletcher (soloist); London Symphony Orchestra with André Previn, conductor (RCA SB #6868)^[8]

Notes and References

1. Bevan . Clifford . Kridel . Craig . Winter 2008 . Vaughn William's Tuba Concerto: Composition and First Performance . . 35 . 2 . 62–63.
2. Hussey . Dyneley . October 1956 . The Musician's Gramophone . . 97 . 1364 . 524–526 . 10.2307/937545.
3. Taylor . The Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto: Its Inception, and Influence on Selected Twentieth Century Works for the Tuba by British Composers . DMA . Alexander Raymond . . 2018-05-31.
4. Catelinet . Philip . Fall 1986 . The Truth About the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto . ITEA Journal . 14 . 2.
5. News: Laffler . William D. . April 29, 1978 . Tuba concerto for 'oom-pah' lovers . . 16.
6. News: Parmenter . Ross . 8 November 1955 . A Tuba Concerto: Bell Plays New Work by Vaughan Williams . . 37.
7. News: Arlen . Walter . December 20, 1966 . Tuba Concerto Hit at Philharmonic . . 14V.
8. Ottaway . Hugh . July 1973 . Vaughn Williams: Overture, The Wasps; Three Portraits from The England of Elizabeth; Tuba Concerto; Violin Concerto. John Fletcher/James Buswell/LSO/Pr . The Musical Times . 114 . 1565 . 711 . 10.2307/956495.