[Trombone-l] CSO performing on original low brass instruments

[Alex Iles]

This from Gene Pokorny...

Gene Pokorny wrote:

Some may remember that last spring the CSO performed Gustav Holst: “The Planets” with the original tenor tuba that performed the world premiere of that piece in 1918.  That instrument was graciously loaned from Robin Weatherall and was performed by Michael Mulcahy (CSO 2nd trombone).  It was a special event to have such an historic instrument present and being played. 

On Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform Mussorgsky/Ravel:  “Pictures at an Exhibition.”  Unusual in this performance will be the movement “Bydlo, the Oxcart” performed on an instrument which Ravel originally intended to have play it; a C French tenor tuba with 6 valves.  Usually this movement is played on a bass tuba or a euphonium.  Unusual in these upcoming performances, the instrument being played is the very instrument which played the U. S. premier with Sergei Koussevitzky in 1924.  The instrument is on loan from Principal Tubist of the Utah Symphony, Gary Ofenloch and it is being played/performed by Principal Trombone of the Utah Symphony, Larry Zalkind.  Here are performance details:
 
Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 2 PM at Orchestra Hall, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago.  This performance is FREE!!!  It is the annual “Day of Music” at Symphony Center and performances of all kinds of music all day are free.  Be aware, that the people start to line up hours before the CSO performance. It will probably be the case on Saturday.  They will stop admitting people when the hall is full.
 
Sunday, September 26, 2008 at 3 PM at Orchestra Hall, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago.  This performance is a part of the “Beyond the Score” series.  The performance before intermission will consist of the orchestra playing parts of the piece with explanations, videos, historic field recordings, actors and special stand-alone parts of the music, including that for the C French tenor tuba. After intermission, the piece will be played in its entirety.  This concert it not free. Ticket information can be obtained from contacting the Chicago Symphony website:  www.cso.org <http://www.cso.org/>