SYMBIOSISDUO Store | The Best in Tuba Euphonium Music

Three Florida Orchids

webmaster — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:12:24 +0000

Three Florida Orchids is a 3-movement original work for tuba, euphonium and piano composed by T.O Sterrett.

I. Wild Coco orchid: Eulophia alta

II. Night Fragrance orchid: Epidendrum nocturnum

III. Water Spider orchid: Habenaria repens

“Three Florida Orchids presents a variety of musical moods: raucous rhythm & blues; pensive tranquility; and playful mischief. These match more the names than the appearances of the orchids in question. In the first movement — Wild Coco — the euphonium and tuba are hot-dogging for pure fun. The second movement — Night Fragrance — gives them a chance to show off melodic beauty, and the last movement – Water Spider — is an opportunity to romp and play. Three Florida Orchids was commissioned by DEG Music Products/Willson USA.” — T.O. Sterrett

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Listen to audio samples: Movt 1, Movt 2, Movt 3

Don Carlo Duet

webmaster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:24:54 +0000

Dio che nell’alma infondere
This song is a duet between Rodrigue, the Marquis of Posa, and the title character from the Verdi’s opera Don Carlos. This grand opera in five acts is based on a story involving European royalty in the sixteenth century. Verdi (1813–1901) premiered this work at the Paris Opera in 1867. In this piece, the two men swear eternal friendship. The English translation of the lyrics best express the sentiment of this piece: “Oh God, who wished to instill love and hope in our souls, Thou must kindle within our hearts a desire for liberty; Thou must kindle within our hearts a desire for liberty; We swear to live and die together.”

As implied by the lyrics of this song, the euphonium and tuba parts are frequently in close harmony. The harmonic material includes frequent parallel thirds as well as some contrary motion and echo effects. In keeping with Verdi’s romantic tradition, there are frequent dynamic swells, fermatas, tempo changes, and various articulations to increase the dramatic effects of this piece. Supported by a piano accompaniment in this arrangement, the duet treats both parts equally. The range of each part is not overly demanding, but the tuba part seems to hover in a rather high tessitura, at the top of the bass clef for most of this piece. Overall, the range spans just over three octaves, B to c2, including the optional high C on the final duet chord.

Veteran composer, arranger, and conductor Joe Kreines transcribed this song for SymbiosisDuo as part of their sheet music collection. SymbiosisDuo is comprised of Stacy Baker, tuba, and Gail Robertson, euphonium. Dr. Baker is a professor of music at Morehead State University and a founding member of the tuba-euphonium quartet Junction, while Ms. Robertson is the tuba-euphonium instructor at the University of Central Florida and a founding member of Walt Disney World’s Tubafours.

The piano, tuba, and euphonium parts are computer-generated and clear. Both bass and treble clef versions of the euphonium part are provided. Rehearsal letters are included for performers’ convenience. The individual parts are somewhat challenging, especially when players strive for the most musical performance. This duo would be appropriate for players at the collegiate level and beyond. With a unified sound, this duo would add a beautiful and romantic element to any recital program.
~Daniel Johnson, University of North Carolina Wilmington

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Symbiosis

webmaster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:15:30 +0000

Commissioned by the SymbiosisDuo, this original composition by Chris Sharp embodies the ideals of the tuba-euphonium duo.

Symbiosis was written for the euphonium-tuba duo of the same name comprised of Gail Robertson and Stacy Baker. The range for euphonium is from F to c², and tuba is from CC to g¹. The tuba part is playable on either bass or contrabass tuba, though there is a considerable section near the beginning that stays down near CC. There are a number of challenges presented for the artists, including numerous meter changes, extensive dexterity in extreme ranges, two sizeable sections of multi-phonics, and various aural intricacies due to harmonic and melodic language. The work takes on a jazz feel from time to time, interspersed with an “other-worldly” timbre in the multi-phonic sections.

The work has plenty of challenge and interest for the performers, and also has decent audience appeal, though it will stretch the ears a bit. My only complaint is with the notation of the parts. While it is very helpful to have both the brass lines on separate staves on the part, the size of the print is fairly small. The music could be printed larger. Aside from that, the published version is well constructed, with the piano part spiral bound for easy page turning, and both bass and treble clef parts are included.
~Tim Olt, Wittenberg University

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Pavane/Whisper of Angels

webmaster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:10:24 +0000

A hauntingly famous melody based on Faure’s Pavane is the inspiration for this arrangement by Gail Robertson. It includes an original melody by composer Amy Skye (Whisper of Angels). An interesting twist to the brass trio for flugel horn, euphonium, and tuba with piano accompaniment. This unusual grouping of instruments creates a lovely blend of sound for our low brass family.

View sample page | range (tuba/euph) | range (flugel)

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Ode for St Cecilia’s Day

webmaster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:47:06 +0000

Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day was originally written in 1692 to celebrate the feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians. Transcribed as a low brass duet with piano accompaniment, written for and recorded by the Symbiosisduo, this piece is a fairly easy read with minimal range in the euphonium, A2 to E4; the tuba player is required at times to play melodically above the staff with a range from G2 to D4. This piece does not require much technical proficiency from the pianist and is mainly supporting the duo by outline chords throughout the piece. Although the copy is very easy to read, there is only one supplied part between the two players, with a choice of reading bass clef or B-flat treble clef for the euphonium player.

This piece is very suitable for advanced high school performers or lower level college students looking to get involved with chamber music or anyone looking for a Baroque piece to add to their own repertoire.
~Stephen Kunzer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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Orlando Lakes

webmaster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:37:13 +0000

Composed by Christopher Marshall, the Orlando Lakes takes you on an interesting musical experience through two lakes in Orlando, Florida: Eola Stroll and Lotus Trail. A rhythmic challenge for both tuba and euphonium but ultimately satisfying. The two movements contrast each other. This composition is available in both treble and bass clef versions.

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Listen to audio samples: Eola Stroll | Lotus Trail

Flower Duet from Lakme

webmaster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:20:51 +0000

The popular Flower Duet from Delibes’ opera, Lakme. (“VIENS, MALLIKA, LES LIANES EN FLEURS”) Arranged for tuba, euphonium and piano.

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I Got Your Bach

webmaster — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:53:06 +0000

Based on Bach’s D minor 2-part Invention, this arrangement by Chris Sharp never fails to amuse an audience. Put on your ‘jazz chops’ and enjoy this very interesting twist to a Baroque keyboard favorite.

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The Temple Duet/Pearl Fishers

webmaster — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:48:45 +0000

*International Euphonium Institute 2011 Duet Competition Piece

The Temple Duet (from The Pearl Fishers) by Bizet is one of the world’s most famous vocal duets. Arranged by Gail Robertson as a duet for tuba and euphonium, this piece can also be done as a trio with cornet. Piano accompaniment is included.

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The Harmonious Blacksmiths

webmaster — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:24:44 +0000

*International Euphonium Institute 2011 Duet Competition Piece

A whimsical take on Handel’s famous Harmonious Blacksmiths (originally for harpsichord) arranged here for tuba, euphonium and piano. Based on the theme and variation form, The Harmonious Blacksmiths is an arrangement sure to win your audience – and incite a few laughs!

Available in 2 versions, in the keys of F major or E-flat major.

View F major range | E-flat major range

View samples of the score: F major | E-flat major

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