Four Temperaments for Tuba
General Info
Year: 1999
Duration: c. 10:30
Difficulty: IV (Band) VI (Tuba Solo) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G and M Brand - British Music Publishers
Cost: Score & Parts - $130.00 | Score Only - $15.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Tuba Solo
Flute I-II (II - piccolo)
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:
- Drumset
- Snare Drum
- Tambourine
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Whip
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Four Temperaments for Tuba was written at the request of the British tuba virtuoso Stephen Sykes to help fill a gap in the repertoire. We agreed that whilst there should be display elements within the piece, it should be accessible to good tuba players and tuneful at the same time.
The first few bars contains the theme of the whole piece which is developed as four variations. The first variation (or Temperament) is neo-classical: conventionally written and structured. The swing variation (No. 2) is backed by a big band line-up plus horns and gives the soloist some opportunity to be flexible. Some improvisation could replace the written lines.
Variation three is scored mostly for woodwinds (apart from a trombone chorale) and is contemplative. It could stand alone. The last variation is a scherzo, which leads to a coda (so that the soloist can show off some double tonguing!)
The cadenza was composed by Stephen Sykes and played by him with the composer's approval. However, soloists should feel free to compose their own cadenza if they wish, but ending with bars 162 and 163 either as written or down an octave.
Four Temperaments for Tuba was first performed in Europe by Stephen Sykes with the Band of HM Royal Marines, Plymouth, conducted by Lt. Col. Peter Rutterford at The Pavilions, Plymouth, England on 6 October 1999.
The USA premiere was given by Stephen Sykes with the VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band, conducted by Geoffrey Brand during the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago on Friday 17 December 1999.
- Program Note by composer
Media
- Audio: MP3 at G and M Brand - British Music Publishers
- Audio CD: Capital City Community Band (Tom Brawner, conductor) - 2007
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Illinois (Champaign) Hindsley Symphonic Band (Kimberly Fleming, conductor; Scott Tegge, tuba) - 21 April 2023
- Lynn University (Boca Raton, Fla.) Wind Ensemble (Kenneth Amis, conductor; Steve Campbell, tuba) – 8 September 2018
- Pomona (Calif.) College Band (Graydon Beeks, conductor; Stephen Klein, tuba) - 28 April 2018
- Frankfort (Ky.) Capital City Community Band (Tom Brawner, conductor; Daryl Smith, tuba) – 20 December 2007 (2007 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Deck the Halls (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (2007)
- Land of Hope and Glory (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1907/2007)
- A Moorside March (Flex instrumentation) (as editor; arr. Wright) (1928/2021)
- O Mensch, Bewein' Dein Sünde Gross (Flex instrumentation) (as editor with Brion; arr. Grainger) (1724?/1937-1942/1987)
- Ode to Joy (Flex instrumentation (as arranger) (1824/2000(?))
- Rule, Britannia! (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1740/2001/2007)
- See the Conquering Hero Comes (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1746/2007)
- Serenade (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter) (1965/1980/2020)
- St. Anthony Chorale and Variation VI (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1873/1991/2007)
- Tannenbaum (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (2008?)
All Wind Works
- 1812 and a Half - Novelty Item
- Angel of the North
- Argincort Variations
- Avebury Circles
- Brandenbach
- Deck the Halls (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (2007)
- Don't Tell William
- Dreams and Fancies
- Fugue à la Gigue (as editor; tr. Holst)
- Flute Feature Chanson de Matin
- Four Temperaments for Tuba
- Glock Around the Clock
- Handel's Largo (as arranger) (1738/2007)
- Land of Hope and Glory (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1907/2007)
- Meditation (Brand)
- A Moorside March (Flex instrumentation) (as editor; arr. Wright) (1928/2021)
- New York Parade
- O Mensch, Bewein' Dein Sünde Gross (Flex instrumentation) (as editor with Brion; arr. Grainger) (1724?/1937-1942/1987)
- Ode to Joy (Flex instrumentation (as arranger) (1824/2000(?))
- Orpheus Can't Can Can
- Pioneer 10
- Portsmouth
- Prelude in the Dorian Mode (as editor with Brion; scored Grainger) (c. 1550/1937-1941)
- Rule, Britannia! (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1740/2001/2007)
- See the Conquering Hero Comes (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1746/2007)
- Serenade (Flex instrumentation) (as adapter) (1965/1980/2020)
- Sousa Confuser
- St. Anthony Chorale and Variation VI (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1873/1991/2007)
- Surprise Surprise
- Swingtime Rag
- Tannenbaum (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (2008?)
- Tapestry for Tuba
- Trocadero March
- Two Spirituals
- Windpower
Resources
None discovered thus far.