Tuba Concerto Español

RUNDEL Solo & Piano No. 7

C/Bb Tuba & Piano


Very often the tuba plays a musical role almost “outside” the band proper, i.e. it is regarded as an element of lesser importance. Kurt Gäble therefore strived for achieving the very contrary impression by writing, in 1998, his “Tuba Concerto Espańol”. He consequently composed a tuba concerto for amateurs which is an artistic challenge to both the soloist and the band, and which will inevitably result in a serious discourse with the solo instrument. This means that there are fundamental differences between the approach of this concert and the common use of the tuba as mere accompaniment or its role in a popular solo. As far as the composer is concerned, the title too was chosen deliberately: it underlines the vivacious nature of the concerto on the one hand and on the other it is to emphasize the agility of the solo instrument.In order to make the soloist ”feel” his instrument, the composer uses popular stylistic elements with intent. The Spanish timbre increases in intensity from the first to the third movements, where it unveils all of its beauty and appeal.