Instrumentation: solo tuba, euphonium, tenor or bass trombone with CD accompaniment
Copyright: 1994
Duration: 7:30 (4:56 for short version)
Range: GG to e-flat-1 for tuba (GG to a-flat-1 for euph/trb with optional 8vas) Difficulty: III-IV
Publisher: Nicolai Music
Price: $20 (includes accompaniment CD and printed music with acc. cues)
PLUS ADDITIONAL SAVINGS: BUY ANY 2 PIECES WITH CD ACCOMPANIMENT & RECEIVE A 3RD PIECE WITH CD ACC. FREE!
a great opportunity to add to your music library!
Recorded by: Velvet Brown, tuba (Heart of a Wolf CD, Nicolai Music) & Mark Nelson, tuba (Aboriginal Voices CD, Crystal Records)
Other Info: Written for Mark Nelson and premiered by Pete Hommel at 1994 The US Army Band Tuba Euphonium Conference.
TO PURCHASE
Although Aboriginal Voices is an original composition, the choices of musical and sonic materials for the accompaniment and solo lines were made after listening to many recordings of authentic music of the Aborigines. The melodic and rhythmic characteristics of the native music, as perceived by the composer, were then incorporated into the compositional process for the creation of this new work. The recorded accompaniment features a didjeridoo, simple percussion sounds, and an array of animalistic sounds created by sampling the composer’s voice. The introductory cadenza creates a mystical atmosphere, preparing the way for a primal dance. Once the dance begins, its strong rhythmic drive persists through the remainder of the composition.
Although the piece was originally written with tuba in mind as the solo instrument, the work is equally effective with euphonium or tenor or bass trombone in the solo role (He often performs it on euphonium during recitals). The composer’s octave choices when performing the solo on euphonium or tenor trombone are indicated in the score.
The original full-length version of Aboriginal Voices is 7:37 in duration. However, Dr. Corwell had created a shorter version (under five minutes) for use in certain performance situations. The accompaniment CD features a reference recording of the original full-length version with solo added, plus accompaniment-only tracks for both the full-length and abridged versions of the composition. In the provided printed music, the first five pages are the full-length version, and the short version is printed on the three pages that follow (pages 6-8).
A strong low range and crisp consistent single-tonguing are required for an effective performance. Occasional meter changes provide a challenge, and multiphonics are used briefly during the introduction, but there are no great technical demands placed upon the soloist in this exciting and stirring staple of the solo tuba repertoire.
click here for pdf version of ABORIGINAL VOICES web sample