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1 of 19 tracks have a preview · 5 works · 54:16

Viola da Gamba Sonata No. 1Johann Sebastian Bach 4 movements13:07
1. 1 Adagio 4:05
2. 2 Allegro 3:16
3. 3 Quasi lento 2:47
4. 4 Allegro moderato 2:59
Viola da Gamba Sonata in G minor, Op. 1, No. 6George Frideric Handel 4 movements8:47
1. 5 Grave 3:11
2. 6 Allegro 1:39
3. 7 Sarabande – Largo 2:03
4. 8 Allegro 1:54
Cello Sonata No. 5 in E minorAntonio Vivaldi 4 movements10:19
1. 9 Largo 2:41
2. 10 Allegro 2:58
3. 11 Lento (alla siciliana) 2:34
4. 12 Vivo 2:06
Horn Sonata in F major, Op. 17Ludwig van Beethoven 3 movements12:01
1. 13 Allegro moderato 5:57
2. 14 Poco adagio 1:12
3. 15 Rondo – Allegro moderato 4:52
Sonata for Tuba and PianoPaul Hindemith 4 movements10:02
1. 16 Allegro pesante 2:58
2. 17 Allegro assai 1:27
3. 18 Variationen – Moderato 3:35
4. 19 Moderato 2:02

Pianists Paul Hamburger and Margaret Schofield join Ian King in Bach and Handel gamba sonatas, a Vivaldi cello sonata, Beethoven’s early Horn Sonata and Hindemith’s Tuba Sonata.

This digitally re-mastered disc preserves historic recordings from King’s pioneering recitals: Australia’s first tuba recital, in Melbourne in 1969, and the first tuba recital ever given at Wigmore Hall, London, in 1970.

Reviews

King’s handling of his chosen instrument is of virtuoso class … his breath control is quite astonishing.

— John Barns, 3MBS FM Libretto

The transcriptions are so good, and King’s playing so impeccable, that each work could have been written for the instrument. What is breathtaking is King’s playing. His control is astonishing, but it does not overshadow his musicianship.

— Kim Lockwood, Herald Sun

Ian King must surely rank among the world’s finest tuba players … remarkable control and dexterity … masterly interpretation … intelligently shaded dynamics and musical sensitivity.

— The British Bandsman

considerable virtuosity … the complete master of instrument and style.

— The Age

refreshing to hear an unusual instrument played so well

— Cliff Tucker, Radio Freemantle

a valuable resource for teachers and students of the tuba, where an incredible display of all elements of tuba technique have been preserved for future reference.

— Amanda Watson, ASME Journal

Masterly

— The Daily Telegraph

Artists

Ian King

tuba

Ian King is a tuba virtuoso who gave the first Australian performance of Vaughan Williams' Tuba Concerto in 1955 and the first tuba recital in Australia. His playing is prized for astonishing control, dexterity and musical sensitivity.

Johann Sebastian Bach

composer

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and organist of the late Baroque. His sacred and secular music for choir, orchestra, organ and solo instruments remains among the foundations of the Western concert and church repertory.

Ludwig van Beethoven

composer

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was a German composer and pianist whose music stands at the centre of the Western classical tradition, bridging the Classical and Romantic eras.

George Frideric Handel

composer

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-born Baroque composer who settled in London and became a naturalised British subject. He is celebrated for his operas, English oratorios, organ concertos and orchestral works.

Paul Hindemith

composer

Paul Hindemith wrote music that thinks like Bach and speaks in a lean modern tongue: dense counterpoint, clear forms, and harmony that uses every chromatic note without abandoning tonality. His sonatas for ordinary and unlikely instruments remain essential working repertoire.

Antonio Vivaldi

composer

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) was an Italian Baroque composer, priest and virtuoso violinist. He is best known for his instrumental concertos, above all the violin cycle The Four Seasons.