Edward Gregson - Tuba Concerto [Score-Video]

Edward Gregson - Tuba Concerto (1976)
1. Allegro deciso - 0:00
2. Lento e mesto - 6:25
3. Allegro giocoso - 12:25
James Gourlay, Tuba
Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Gavin Sutherland, Conductor
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The Tuba Concerto was originally written in 1976 for brass band. The orchestral version was made in 1978 but did not receive its first performance until 1983 when it was premiered by its dedicatee, John Fletcher, at the Scottish Proms in Edinburgh with the Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by Sir Alexander Gibson.
The concerto is in three movements, following the usual quick-slow-quick pattern: Allegro deciso, Lento e mesto, Allegro giocoso. The first is in a sonata form shell with two contrasting themes, the first rhythmic in character, the second lyrical. There is a reference made in the development section to the opening theme of Vaughan Williams’s tuba concerto, but only in passing.
The second movement unfolds a long cantabile melody for the soloist, which contrasts to a ritornello idea which is announced three times by strings alone. The central climax of the movement triumphantly heralds the main theme from the full orchestra.
The last movement is in rondo form, alternating the main theme with two episodes. The first of these is a broad sweeping tune, the second is jazz-like in style with prominent solos for the clarinet and vibraphone in conjunction with the tuba. After a short cadenza, reference is made to the opening of the concerto, and the work ends with a triumphal flourish.

[@GerardoArchive]

you can hear how inspired this was by Vaughan William's Tuba Concerto in F minor you can clearly hear it at 3:28 its the exact same rhythm but just written in C Major

[@user-dv5yp5fd7y]

Also you can absolutely hear the quote from Vaughan Williams at 3:33.

[@zyheimbell5684]

im glad i wasn't the only one to catch that

[@eniigma2943]

What a phenomenal recording of the piece, I have to say. Whoever the Tuba soloist is genuinely a man among men with that god-like tone. Absolutely breathtaking!
edit: Thanks for posting this!

[@genquaza2733]

Thank you, Dylan Snellgoofy. You posted this pretty soon before I discovered this piece. As an aspiring soloist on the tuba who loves this piece, I listen to this recording almost daily. You have done me and 14,000 others good service, and I am now working on this piece.

[@SOBIESKI_freedom]

Absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!!

[@gerzonsosa9406]

I had not heard, beautiful, bravo.

[@mr.sellpresents7826]

tuba trill! lol nice

[@jaheedo]

i cant get over the fact the dynamics are written in what looks similar to comic sans💀💀💀💀💀

[@bennelindley1824]

Cadenza #1 is at 0:39 (for personal refrence purpose)

[@bennelindley1824]

Tuba comes in at 0:33

[@SOBIESKI_freedom]

It's a lovely bit of writing when Gregson combines the first and second subjects of the first movement. Classy writing!

[@christopherNz]

una obra muy divertida, una instrumentación familiar y cálida.

[@sarahmccrillis7976]

Writing this for practice sake, maybe it will help another person too. 😅
*All the time frames are for tuba entrances, not exact measures.
1.) Allegro Deciso
First Entrance: 0:31
a Tempo I: 1:17
Legato Section: 2:00
#6: 3:08
#7: 3:37
#8: 4:00
#9: 4:38
#10: 5:03
#11: 5:33
Ending: 6:17

[@COTDBroski]

Does anyone know where to get the full orchestral score of this? It sounds phenomenal.

[@leonlinton634]

Excellent work from a composer I've never heard of!
Gregson seems to struggle with arranging creatively for strings though it seems.
It's not even that similar but the main theme reminds me of the "I Had a Dream" motif from the musical Gypsy every single time it plays 😂

[@smike9884]

I think the similarity to the Thunderbirds theme tune is quite strong.

[@tenor1190]

The original was actually composed for British brass band! The arrangement sounds so much better with a brass band accompaniment.

[@hkjg2723]

0:54

[@aleostubasecftw]

tuba at 0:31

[@superanimegod1234]

Part A: 0:00
Part B: 1:40
Part C: 3:25
Part D: 4:15
Part E: 5:25

[@Alabamian_Schizoposter]

What key is this in

[@somebody9033]

well it begins broadly in the key of C major. But it modulates around a lot.

[@Alabamian_Schizoposter]

@@somebody9033 my bad I should’ve said what type of tuba

[@Alabamian_Schizoposter]

Like is it in CC or BBb

[@somebody9033]

@@Alabamian_Schizoposter I would have thought an F would be used for this piece - needs to be a lot more nimble than a BBb or CC can be

[@Alabamian_Schizoposter]

@@somebody9033thanks