Tuba legend dies
RIPThe death has been communicated of Roger Bobo, former principal tuba of the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink (1962–1964) and of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, 1964–1989 with Zubin Mehta, Carlo Maria Giulini and André Previn.
He was 84.
Rpger moved last month to New Mexico, where he was taken ill and died.
He laid claim to have given the first-ever solo tuba recital at Carnegie Hall.
He was an amazing player and the true anchor of the LA Phil in the 1970s. Ein Heldenleben and Symphonie Fantastique were showcases for his virtuosity. Also a real character
He was a memorable player and a big part of the Mehta-era sound in L.A. Listen to the orchestra’s 1969 recording of the Planets (especially “Mars”) and you’ll see.
The great British tuba player of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, and the L.S.O. of previous years (Previn, Abbado eras), John Fletcher, had many conversations with Roger Bobo. I think they both influenced each other, as they both brought slightly different skills to the table. A good friend of mine, Tony Clements (Symphony Silicon Valley), studied a number of years with Roger Bobo. It showed! Tony gave greatest tuba recital I have ever heard, at Santa Clara University. I think that would have been about 15 years ago.
The Carnegie Hall archive shows his recital on March 31, 1961.
He moved to New Mexico? I thought he moved down to Oaxaca, Mexico. Anyway, what a life he had! I just wish he had taken the time to write two books: first an autobiography. Then one on performing music. What he learned over a long career starting with Leinsdorf in Rochester is information that future generations could really learn from. I still remember his playing Pictures at an Exhibition with Guilini – who knew the tuba could be so soulful? RIP.
If you’re referring to Bobo’s way of playing the infamous “Bydlo” solo for tenor tuba, I couldn’t agree more. Many players try to make it sound too smooth and too pretty, usually by using a German made F tuba (which CAN be great instruments!). Roger played it on an authentic German tenor tuba (Alexander). He put some stress and strain into the sound, and with a bigger dynamic range than usual – as though a great beast were pulling a very heavy cart. Who would have thunk!
Is that like a Chico sound or a Charles Schmitz sound?
And thank you for including the clip from his appearance with Johnny Carson. I remember that like it was yesterday but it must have been 40 years ago. But not the only LA Phil player featured by Carson – former principal oboist David Weiss appeared with his musical saw.
I loved Carson’s remark that he knew it was good, because the guys in the band were all applauding. Doc Severinson and The Great NBC Orchestra, as Ed McMahon introduced them.
BTW, much as I love Stephen Colbert and his contemporaries, none of them feature classical musicians like Carson did. He had Itzhak Perlman, Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, Marilyn Horne and others on a number of times. Also Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg and Horacio Gutierrez, among others.
There has never been a finer tubist than Roger Bobo.
Not only was he exquisite in the classics, he was marvelous in jazz and pop as well.
His passing marks the end of an era.
While I certainly don’t want to dispute your point, Greg, I would suggest taking a listen to Aaron Tindall’s version of “Yellow Bird” (by Fred Tacket). It’s a bit different than Roger’s original version, and every bit as valid. To me, it’s not so much the end of an era, but the start of another era, with hundreds of under-employed tuba players running around who can play the pants off of ANYTHING – greatly due to the teaching and examples set by players like Arnold Jacobs, Ron Bishop (Cleveland), Floyd Cooley and Roger Bobo.
The assembly of hero players in the L.A. Phil back in the 1970s: Sauer, Cerminaro, Stevens, Guarneri, Zukovsky, Mr. Bobo himself, among other illustrious artists. Once upon a time in America, young music students knew the names of the players in major orchestras like baseball fans know the names of the lineups in major league teams. I know, I was one of those students.
I loved Barbara Winters……
I think it was Cerminaro who played that great horn solo in the finale of Brahms 1, with Giulini conducting the L.A. Phil. (DG). Pretty hard to beat.
Don’t forget Bill Kraft on timpani!
An exceptional, inspiring comment that shows your own passion!
Forget ye not those in the Los Angeles Philharmonic low brass section that, during his tenure, Roger admired and respected immensely: Ralph Sauer, Byron Peebles, Sonny Ausman, and Jeff Reynolds.
It was Carlo Maria Giulini one fine day that exclaimed, “Bobissimo”, the title of Crystal Record’s “The Best of Roger Bobo”.
Here’s a glimpse from Sarah’s Horn Hangouts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MioD90Xzes0
Roger Bobo’s presence and impact, “changed the brass world.”
Oh wait a great male musician has died? Shouldn’t we all be talking about all the sex crimes that either have suddenly surfaced or everyone knew about? Shame.
Duh!? Are you accusing Mr. Bobo of sexual harassment?