Title: Arioso Gloria
Commission/Dedication: For Michael Fischer
Premiere: Played by Michael Fischer. Dates unknown.
Composer: Barbara York
Publisher: Cimarron Music Press
Year: 2003 (written), 2009 (published)
Program notes from the composer:
None.
Author assessment and pedagogical considerations:
“Arioso Gloria” is one of the four pieces that Michael Fischer commissioned from Barbara York at the beginning of her career. The piece is simple, elegant, and beautiful and would work nicely as a filler piece on any level of recital.
This piece is ideal for the young tubist who is developing sonority in their higher range as well as musicality. The young player will find some challenge in the leaps York has written and the suggested dynamics could pose challenges, too. Suggested dynamics are mostly piano to mezzo piano, but sonority should take precedent. York’s suggested dynamics are more for effect and texture, than volume.
To capture the musicality of this piece, I strongly encourage the soloist to listen to arias and vocal works performed by opera stars. My recommendation is to start with Renee Fleming or Joyce DiDonato. The care and intimacy these artists give melodies are what York is asking of the tubist.
The soloist should be sure to look at the piano score for a quote under the title, that did not make it into the solo part. “Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax”, which translates to “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”
While most of York’s pieces work best on bass tuba, this piece works just as well on contrabass tuba. This piece is also available for euphonium in a higher key.
Recordings:
