The tuba has rumbled, roared and oom-pahed its way through much of Western music. It has a deeper, thicker and lower voice than the bassoon, string bass or even a bass drum. But like every good, human bass-baritone, the Darth Vader of musical instruments can also sing.
Richard White, principal tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic and familiar member of the Festival Orchestra for Music in the Mountains, will show us how a tuba can sing. He’s featured in two upcoming concerts, Tuesday in the Community Concert Hall and at the final Music in the Mountains concert July 30 at the Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort.
White earned his bachelor’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory and went on to complete both master’s and doctoral degrees at Indiana University. He teaches at the University of New Mexico, where he is also associate director of the Spirit Marching Band. At most of our festival concerts, you can spot him in the back row of the Festival Orchestra, but this summer, he’ll be playing the tuneful lead in “Tubby the Tuba.”
“Ah, yes,” White said in an interview during a rehearsal break last week, “I’ve played that part many times.”
On July 30, White will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ spectacular Tuba Concerto in F minor. Both works had their inception after World War II, the Vaughan Williams in the early ’50s, “Tubby” after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
“Tubby the Tuba” was created by author-actor Paul Tripp and composer George Kleinsinger. The two had collaborated on other children’s shows, and a popular anecdote tells of a tuba player saying to Tripp and Kleinsinger after the war news: “You know, tubas can sing, too.” Apparently, he was tired of the oompah role and wanted to make music.
However Tubby’s story came into being, it’s about a hapless tuba taunted by other orchestral instruments for being boring and clumsy. A lonely night by a river with a chatty bullfrog helps him find his own tune. The next day, Tubby takes his melody back to the orchestra and they make beautiful music together.
Often compared to Prokofiev’s 1936 “Peter and the Wolf,” “Tubby” became so popular that orchestras around the world began performing it.
Tripp narrated early performances and the first recording in 1945. Subsequent narrators have included the likes of Danny Kaye, Carol Channing, even Julia Child, whom you can view on YouTube. Tripp narrated the 1975 film, and the 1983 version was nominated for a short subject Oscar.
“Tubby” will be accompanied by another Tripp/Kleinsinger work: “PeeWee the Piccolo.” In contrast to Tubby, PeeWee has always had lots of solos, but one day, PeeWee loses his part before a concert. The piccolo (played by the inimitable Rochelle Mann) goes on an adventure to find it.
Matt Albert will narrate. Chairman of Chamber Music at the University of Michigan, Albert returns after heading up the Conservatory the last two summers. Violinist, violist, chamber player and all-around super teacher, Albert is also a superb storyteller.
The picnic dinner, including root beer floats, will begin at 5:30 p.m., so parents can bring their children. The 35- to 40-minute program inside will be crisp and lively. Tickets are $5.
Judith Reynolds is an arts journalist and member of the American Theater Critics Association.
If you go
What: Family concert and picnic dinner.
When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive.
Tickets: $5. Available at the Music in the Mountains office, 1036 Main Ave., online at www.musicinthemountains.com or by phone at 385-6820. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
