The Tuba Concerto in F minor by the British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams dates from 1954. Vaughan Williams wrote the concerto for Philip Catelinet, principal tubist of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), and Catelinet was the soloist in the premiere on 13 June 1954, with Sir John Barbirolli conducting. Catelinet was also the soloist in the work's first recording made that same year, again with Barbirolli and the LSO.
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Composition and history
While at first viewed as the eccentric idea of an aging composer, the concerto soon became one of Vaughan Williams' most popular works, and an essential part of the tuba repertoire.
The work is in three movements:
- Prelude: Allegro moderato
- Romanza: Andante sostenuto
- Finale - Rondo alla tedesca: Allegro
A performance commonly takes about 13 minutes. Apart from the solo tuba, the piece is scored for two flutes (2nd doubling on piccolo), oboe, 2 clarinets (in B♭), bassoon, 2 horns (in F), 2 trumpets (in B♭), 2 trombones, timpani, triangle, side drum, bass drum, cymbals, and strings.
Recordings
Vaughan Williams' concerto has since received a number of concert performances and recordings. Live performances include those by Gerard Hoffnung, James Gourlay, Michael Lind, and Peter Whish-Wilson. In addition to Catelinet's pioneering recording, other recordings of the concerto have featured the following artists: