Brittany Arthur
12/16/2010
MUS 555 Symphonic Lit

Concert Report: Arthur Senior Tuba Recital The works on this program fit Goehr's open model more so than the closed model. The program featured works by Beeler, Vaughan Williams, Penderecki, Koetsier, Arban. Three of these pieces were tonal, centered on the keys of F minor, E flat major and B flat major. With the exception of Penderecki, each of these pieces included a solo tuba with accompanying piano. The soloist used a larger orchestral tuba centered on the key of C, and a smaller tuba made for solo and chamber music centered on the key of F. With the exception of the Arban, all of these pieces were originally written in the 20th century for the tuba. The use of these pieces fits the open model because they are modern compositions that do not get heavily played rather than the older classical compositions that are often seen on concert programs. The use of both unaccompanied works and atonal/pantonal works fit the open model as well, since most organizations do not play these types of pieces. The overall structure of the recital itself seemed somewhat relaxed. Everything was played in a specific strict order, but the pieces were not announced and the audience was dressed casually. The audience was also small in number, as if to suggest a small casual event rather than a big performance.

The Octatonic Tuba is a four movement work that is based upon an octatonic scale with the bottom and top notes being C. The first movement is supposed to be mysterious in style and tempo, as if you're not sure what will come next. The A section is pitched in the lower range of the tuba and is repeated, whereas the B section uses the upper register. The piano part is mostly stepwise, and the tuba part is somewhat stepwise with dissonant leaps thrown in. The second movement is an interlude in the style of Bartok, meaning