INSTRUMENTS IN THE ORCHESTRA:
(12) The Tuba Becer: twelfth of a series of short articles on the instruments of the National Orchestra, written to help interested listeners towards a more informed appreciation of orchestral music and a better understanding of the resources at the command of the conductor. 'UBA is the name given to the family of brass instruments played in the vertical position as distinct from the horizontal position of the trumpet, trombone, etc. There are several species of the instrument, having from three to five valves, a semi-conical bore, and a cup-shaped mouthpiece. Of these the tuba in B Flat is most commonly used, few of the others appearing in modern orchestral compositions. Berlioz’s treatise on orchestration, published in 1843, is one of the first to recognise the tuba and it was during the middle of the’ 19th Century that the instrument gradually crept into popularity. Wagner assured for it a position in the orchestra by using it to such effect in The Ring. This powerful, full-throated instrument is readily recognisable amongst the other instruments of the orchestra. Its player sits, as a rule, in the back row to the right or left, and holds the tuba like a huge bugle, with its mouthpiece at the side, and the bell pointing upwards.
The tuba is said to be descended from a Roman military service instrument whose tube was straight and whose most familiar use was to sound the charge and the retreat when the legions were in action. There is no tuba player under permanent engagement to the National Orchestra, but such important members of the brass section are engaged when required for concerts,
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19470926.2.40
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 431, 26 September 1947, Page 21
Word count
Tapeke kupu
276INSTRUMENTS IN THE ORCHESTRA: New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 431, 26 September 1947, Page 21
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in