Contrabass Digest
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1998-11-30

 
list                           Mon, 30 Nov 1998           Volume 1 : Number 40

In this issue:
 


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Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 10:08:11 -0800
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: CD Review
 

CD Review:


Beate-Gabriela Schmitt, Electronisches Studio der TU Berlin, "Flöte und Computer" (1997, ProViva, Intersound GmbH).
As one might surmise from the title, this is a CD of quite avant garde and experimental music.  Quite interesting to listen to, especially as it includes subcontrabass flute in G.  The tracks are:


The CD insert has a paragraph about the performer, and each of the composers, but no further info about her instruments.  There is an image of a variety of flutes on the cover, and her G subcontra looks much like the one played by Mathias Ziegler.  Her C contrabass is interesting in that the head joint is curved in a broad loop, rather than the angular "4" shape favored by Kotato, or the closely folded forms.  If you liked P. Artaud's CD, you'll probably enjoy this one too.  Recommended.

Grant
 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green                        gdgreen@contrabass.com
sarrusophones and other seismic devices
list@contrabass.com             http://www.contrabass.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 13:28:34 EST
From: SEMarcus@aol.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Subcontrabass Tuba Played by Hoffnung

The 1956 Hoffnung Music Festival recording contains an arrangement of "Annie Laurie" on which humorist and tubist Gerard Hoffnung played the subcontrabass tuba pictured at http://www.harrogate.co.uk/harrogate-band/humour.htm.

Responding to recent publicity issued by Gerard Hoffnung's widow, I inquired about this giant horn.  Here is the reply that came from northhse.demon.co.uk@northhse.demon.co.uk:

<<Unfortunately the whereabouts of the subcontrabass tuba are not known.
It was hired from Paxson's and was subsequently sold.  They have no
record of who bought it.  We suspect that it went to the USA.
Mrs Hoffnung believes that it was made for Souza at the turn of the century.
If you manage to find out any more about its present location we would
be very interested to know.
Thankyou for your interest

Mary Ashby on behalf of Annetta Hoffnung.>>

We know that Harvard owns the horn with Sam Pilafian in the picture, and that Carl Fischer in NY has another one on display in supposedly unplayable condition.  But who has Paxson's subcontrabass tuba that Hoffnung played "hiding" in their basement?  Any leads, contrabassers????

Kindest regards,
Steve Marcus (SEMarcus@aol.com)
http://members.delphi.com/stevemarcus/index.html

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 12:00:12 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
From: Frank D Diaz <Frank.D.Diaz@wdc.com>
To: list@contrabass.com, SEMarcus@aol.com
Subject: RE: Subcontrabass Tuba Played by Hoffnung
 

Check out the Guiness Book of World records. I think older edition's mention a sub-contrabass tuba in South Africa. Anyone know about this ?

I have that recording. Neat combination: 2 contra bassoons, 2 contra bass clarinets, contra bass serpent, heckelphone plus a hurdy gurdy and a piccolo !

Frank Diaz

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 13:44:35 -0800
From: Trent Ruane <trentr@cnet.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Bass sax

Howdy,

I recently acquired a Pan-American bass sax and was hoping that someone out
there could shed some light on a few things...

- Is there a way to ascertain its age?

- Who made "Pan-American"?

- The finish:
I remember back about a month ago, there was a thread on bass sax finishes.
This one has a matte gold finish (which kinda looks like paint). The fellow
I bought it from was told that it was probably used in a military band, and
that particular finish was used because it was very low maintenance. Any
thoughts?

- Is it still possible to get bass reeds, or must I use bari reeds?

- Any additional tips would be most appreciated

It came with the original case and stand, and both the sax and the case are
in wonderful condition. I am ecstatic over this new addition to our musical
collection--unfortunately, my 7 month old daughter automatically bursts
into tears whenever I play it!

-Trent Ruane

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 14:04:20 -0800
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: Bass sax

>- Who made "Pan-American"?

C.G. Conn, I believe.

***

>- Is it still possible to get bass reeds, or must I use bari reeds?

You can still order Vandoren bass sax reeds through WW&BW
(http://www.wwandbw.com).  Contrabass clarinet reeds should also work.

>It came with the original case and stand, and both the sax and the case are
>in wonderful condition. I am ecstatic over this new addition to our musical
>collection--unfortunately, my 7 month old daughter automatically bursts
>into tears whenever I play it!

Congratulations on the new horn, and the new daughter!  BTW, my kids still
run and hide when I play sarrusophone, and they're 10, 11, and 13 *years* old.  ;-)

Grant
 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green            gdgreen@contrabass.com
                    http://www.contrabass.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 00:25:43 +0200
From: "SARAH CORDISH" <cordish@internet-zahav.net.il>
To: <list@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: Subcontrabassoon??

It is interesting Brock brings up subcontrabassoon now; I have been thinking
about it recently, remembering someone mentioned it in one of the early
Contrabass List archives.  This last week I was wishing the subject would
come up again on the list.  Does anyone on the list know more about it?
It would be really great if a modern instrument maker would make another
one.  Maybe somebody has?  Could one be made it the style of the modern
symphonic contra, folded over on itself?  Maybe improve the sausage bassoon
idea?  What kind of reed (maybe  3 cm across at the tip and a blade over 4
cm long)?  And how do you figure-out if your BBBb (64') is a bit sharp or
flat?
It seems as neat an idea as octosubcontrabasso flutes.
Sarah

--Original Message-----
From: BROCK IMISON <bimison@hotmail.com>
To: list@contrabass.com <list@contrabass.com>
Date: 29 November 1998 09:44
Subject: Subcontrabassoon??

>Hi, I'm Brock. I'm a second year student at the Queensland
>Conservatorium of music in Australia. I do a lot of Contrabassoon
>playing, some of it against my will, but on the whole I love low sounds.
>
>I've recently found some information relating to a Subcontrabassoon
>built in the 19th century. The instrument (now extinct) was fully
>chromatic and extended down to the b flat an octave below the
>contrabassoon, or 64 foot b flat on the organ. This would probably make
>it the lowest woodwind instrument ever conceived, but I'd love to be
>proved wrong. I'd also love for any more input on the subject, perhaps
>someone has one in their basement????? -joke.
------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 17:33:05 EST
From: NINEWINDS@aol.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re:  Bass sax

In a message dated 11/30/98 2:45:23 PM, you wrote:
<<
- Is there a way to ascertain its age?

Yes by the serial number.

- Who made "Pan-American"?
Conn made the Pan American - it's called a stencil horn reason being that the
Conn instuments or rather the instruments that Conn kept for their own brand
name had rolled tone holes. Anything that was a little off with the holes, the
rolled part was cut off and sold as a stencil horn. I had one that was
marketed as a Gretch horn.
 

- Is it still possible to get bass reeds, or must I use bari reeds?
You can get Vandoren bass saxophone reeds or also Rico makes a generic Bass
Saxophone/contra bass clarinet reed that is usable. Glotin makes them also and
a bunch of other very tiny companies. The most consistant are the vandorens.

It came with the original case and stand, and both the sax and the case are
in wonderful condition. I am ecstatic over this new addition to our musical
collection--unfortunately, my 7 month old daughter automatically bursts
into tears whenever I play it!

Play it softly when she's around and then gradually progress to louder sounds.
Played softly it's a beautiful sound, bassoon like.

Vinny

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 17:17:42 EST
From: Heliconman@aol.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: Subcontrabass Tuba Played by Hoffnung

In a message dated 98-11-30 13:30:36 EST, you write:

>We know that Harvard owns the horn with Sam Pilafian in the picture, and that
>Carl Fischer in NY has another one on display in supposedly unplayable
>condition.  But who has Paxson's subcontrabass tuba that Hoffnung played
>"hiding" in their basement?  Any leads, contrabassers????
>
>Kindest regards,
>Steve Marcus (SEMarcus@aol.com)
>http://members.delphi.com/stevemarcus/index.html

I found my newspaper photo of the Harvard giant. I've taken a jpg photo of the
clipping with my buddy's new Sony digital camera that records still pictures
as jpg's on a 3 inch floppy...fun toy! I'll upload a copy to Grant, since I
don't have a website.

Heliconman@aol.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 17:32:31 EST
From: Heliconman@aol.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re: Bass sax

In a message dated 98-11-30 16:46:19 EST, you write:

>I recently acquired a Pan-American bass sax and was hoping that someone out
>there could shed some light on a few things...
>
>- Is there a way to ascertain its age?
>
>- Who made "Pan-American"?

C.G.Conn, Ltd. It was their student line, but I found that my Pan American
sousaphone was better made and sounding than many pro horns. I sold it only
because I needed the money for my Carl Fischer, NY Bb helicon made by C.G.
Conn in 1890 - a really BIG sounding honker!

>- The finish:
>I remember back about a month ago, there was a thread on bass sax finishes.
>This one has a matte gold finish (which kinda looks like paint). The fellow
>I bought it from was told that it was probably used in a military band, and
>that particular finish was used because it was very low maintenance. Any
>thoughts?
>
>-Trent Ruane

I've heard some discussion about gold lacquer, but never seen an example of
it. I understand it increases the value of the horn, so think seriously about
stripping or refinishing your monster!

I'll leave the reed question to another more qualified lister, but I'll bet
Lark In The Morning in Callifornia could help you out. They have a website for
more info.

Happy Honkindays!
Heliconman@aol.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 17:47:59 EST
From: NINEWINDS@aol.com
To: list@contrabass.com
Subject: Re:  Re: Subcontrabassoon??

There is some mention of these instruments in a book called the Bassoon &
Contra Bassoon. It mentions a large orchestra of these instruments combined to
play a piece by Handel - about 70 or more instruments I think.
Vinny

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End of list V1 #40
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