Graduate recital in tuba

Includes recorded audio files in WAV and MP3 formats, 67:53 in length.The tuba, along with the saxophone, ranks as the newest member of internationally accepted instruments of music. Its creation around 1830 was prompted by the invention of the brass instrument valve mechanism. By the early 1900's the tuba had virtually replaced its forerunners, the ophecleide and bass horn, because of its superior capabilities. Though still imperfect, the tuba is the most versatile wind bass ever designed. Even with world acceptance by 1900, the tuba was still little regarded as a solo instrument. The earliest champion of solo tuba playing was William Bell, who as a young man was a featured soloist with the Sousa Band. The earliest solos for tuba were transcriptions of solos for other instruments and voice. Important original compositions for solo tuba appear at the middle of this century. Notable works are the Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra and Hindemith's Sonate for Tuba and Piano. It is the opinion of this candidate that these two works, as performed by such outstanding tubists as William Bell, Arnold Jacobs, Harvey Phillips, Tommy Johnson and Roger Bobo, mark an important turning point in the tuba literature. Several developments have occurred since the composition of these works. (See more in text.