Roger Bobo & Tuba Play Galliard, Barat, Kraft, Hindemith, Wilder

Roger Bobo - Roger Bobo and Tuba Play Galliard, Barat, Kraft, Hindemith, Wilder

released on LP

accompanied by Ralph Grierson - piano

Sonata No. 5 in D Minor, composed by Johann Ernst Galliard (b. 1687)

This sonata, in common with the practice of the period, was composed for 'low instrument', and the tuba fits easily and effectively into that category. The music is straightforward and makes few demands on the listener, whose enjoyment is based partly on the purity of musical thought and the good tunes, and partly on the technical brilliance called for in the brisker movements. Roger Bobo uses the smaller F Tuba for this piece.

Sonata for Basstuba and Piano, composed by Paul Hindemith (b. 1895)

As a composer he rapidly became accepted as a major voice of his generation, assimilating the new ideas of composition, and finding his own field of expression. Bach became a strong influence in Hindemith's music, and his later works have a strong contrapuntal element. Perhaps one of Hindemith's most important contributions was his collection of sonatas, written for instruments which were not regarded in a solo light at that time. He thus exploited the musical and technical resources available and left an invaluable heritage of music for performers as well as listeners. The three movements of this "Sonata" give ample opportunity to the tuba, not only for showing itself off technically, as in the central section of the Variations which make up the last movement, but also to emerge as an important interpretive instrument in its own right. This is probably one of the greatest works composed for tuba up to the present time.

Introduction and Dance, composed by J. Ed. Barat

This short, typically French piece by J. Ed. Barat was originally composed for Bass Saxhorn, or Saxtuba, the lowest of the five members of the saxhorn family, patented in 1845 by Adolphe Sax (1814-1894), best known as the inventor of the saxophone. Sax was one of the greatest innovators in the manufacture and improvement of brass and wind instruments during the second half of the nineteenth century. Indeed, his work in this field, which included working on valves in a sound mechanical and acoustical manner, entitles Sax to a special niche in musical history, certainly of equal importance to the saxophone's invasion of the popular music field today. The "Introduction and Dance" is performed on the F tuba on this recording.

Encounters II (for Unaccompanied Tuba), composed by William Kraft (b.1923)

As timpanist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, William Kraft has had ample opportunity to get to know Roger Bobo, both as a colleague and as a musician, and "Encounters II (for Unaccompanied Tuba)" was specifically composed for Bobo, with the intention of offering him opportunities of both a musical and a technical character. It is dramatic and expressive, lyrical and bombastic. At one point the player is called upon to actually sing through the tuba at the same time that he is playing, thereby setting up a two part texture wherein one part can accompany the other or the two can work together independently. The piece was composed in December, 1966 and first performed in spring of 1967 in the "Encounters" series of concerts in Pasadena, California. These concerts represent a musical "encounter" with a leading composer of our time, and since Karl Kohn had composed a work called "Encounters" for a previous concert, Kraft entitled his piece "Encounters II."

Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant, composed by Alec Wilder (b. 1907)

This little suite is entirely self-explanatory, the tuba taking the role of the lovable little Effie. There is much to enjoy musically, especially in the very lovely lullaby, and there is a lot of fun and helter-skelter rushing about in the Carnival. (Denby Richards)
Tracklisting:

Side A

1. Sonata No. 5 in D Minor {6:59}

2. Sonata for Basstuba and Piano {10:09}

Side B

1. Introduction and Dance {3:53}

2. Encounters II (for Unaccompanied Tuba) {5:57}

3. Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant: 1. Effie Takes a Dancing Lesson {1:20}

4. Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant: 2. Effie Falls in Love {3:03}

5. Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant: 3. Effie Goes Folk Dancing {1:47}

6. Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant: 4. Effie Chases a Monkey {0:48}

7. Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant: 5. Effie Sings a Lullaby {2:30}

8. Children's Suite: Effie the Elephant: 6. Effie Joins a Carnival {1:21}

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