Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra

Description

Tuba, Piano 1, Piano 2, Percussion 1, Timpani, Xylophone, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Wood Block, Percussion 2, Marimba, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Wood Block — “There are too few concertos for tuba” remarked Samuel Adler about the composition of his own CONCERTO FOR TUBA AND ORCHESTRA in 2017, now available in a new arrangement by the composer for solo tuba, two pianos, and two percussionists. Wishing to showcase the instrument’s lyricism and dexterity alike, Adler cast his concerto in three movements, with a substantial cadenza between the second and third. The first movement, Cantillation, is free-flowing and songlike, while the second and third (Scherzo and Finale) are brilliant and virtuosic. The cadenza before the third movement is a display of musicality rather than technical prowess. “I felt I wanted to give the soloist [David Saltzman] another opportunity to emphasize the beauty and [lyricism] of this neglected solo instrument,” says Adler, “a chance to ‘sing’ by himself.”