Vladislav Blazhevich (1886 – 1942)

Study for BBb tuba #1

- arranged as duet for various pairs of instruments

- notated in several keys, clefs, and transpositions

by Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre (2015)

 

This edition is the first step in my project of providing counterparts for BlazhevichÕs 70 etudes for BBb tuba. This etude works melodically within C major presenting fairly common chromatic auxiliary and passing notes. The counterpart leans heavily on my own practice of improvising counterparts for my studentsÕ melodic and technical studies. The dissonances in the first bar help establishing the pulse. Implied modulations in the original study are emphasized or its tonality is challenged, as is its rhythm. Original elements like the wide leaps are also found in the counterpart. Two of my favourite descending intervals, the diminished fourth and the major seventh, are presented, as are both of the whole tone scales (at least partially). But then there also are some really revealing intervals between the two parts like fifths and octaves. In a few places the 2nd part hints towards a drone function, but only briefly so.

 

In bar #37 the last note is intended to be the leading note for the first note in bar #38. However, with some constellations of keys and instruments that note is not available. In those cases the chromatic leading note from above has been written in as an alternative. As this edition only is intended for one player per part, no clashes should occur.

 

The counterpart never was intended as an etude in its own right, but it still has its own musical and technical challenges, which may make this duet relevant as a presentation duet for students. The 2nd part may be given to the more advanced student.

 

No additional phrasing indications, articulations, or courtesy accidental have been added to the original 1st part.

 

As so often with my duet editions, I took the option to present this one in various keys, clefs, and octaves to create playing material for several pairs of instruments, some of these having a very little dedicated repertory. As long as good balance is maintained all versions found within a given folder are fully compatible.

 

The present 71 versions are listed by key and octave, which reflects the folder structure. The available selection is not comprehensive. More versions may be added on request, if the respective instrument ranges are compatible.

 

C Major:

Super octave

2 Flutes - 2nd must have a B-foot

2 Flutes - when no B-foot is available

2 Violins

Soprano octave

2 Basset Horns

2 Violas

Tenor octave

2 Bass Clarinets

2 Bassoons

2 Ophicleides

2 Wagner Tubas - basses in F

Tenor Trombone & Bass Trombone - all bass clef

Bb Tenor Trombone (treble clef) & Bass Trombone (bass clef) - brass band style

2 Bb Euphoniums (treble clef)

2 Euphoniums (bass clef)

2 Celli

Contrabass octave

2 Contrabass Clarinets

2 Contrabassoons

2 Contrabass Tubas

2 Contrabass Tubas - when the 2nd tuba has no low B

Eb & BBb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

2 BBb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

2 String Basses - 2nd must have an extension to low C

D Major:

Soprano octave

2 Clarinets in A

Violin & Viola

Eb Major:

Soprano octave

2 Bb Clarinets

Bb Clarinet & Alto Clarinet

Soprano & Alto Saxophones

Tenor octave

2 Bass Clarinets

Bass Clarinet & Contralto Clarinet

2 Bassoons

Tenor Saxophone & Baritone Saxophone

Tenor Trombone & Bass Trombone - all bass clef

Bb Tenor Trombone (treble clef) & Bass Trombone (bass clef) - brass band style

2 Bb Euphoniums (treble clef)

2 Euphoniums (bass clef)

2 Celli

Bass octave

2 Contrabass Clarinets

2 Tubas

2 Eb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

2 BBb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

2 String Basses - 2nd must have an extension to low C

F Major:

Soprano octave

Flute & Viola

Oboe & English Horn

Alto octave

2 Basset Horns

2 Horns in F

2 Wagner Tubas

Bass octave

2 Bass Trombones

2 Bass Tubas

2 Eb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

G Major:

Soprano octave

Flute & Alto Flute

2 Violins

Ab Major:

Alto octave

2 Alto Clarinets

Alto Saxophone & Tenor Saxophone

Bass octave

2 Contralto Clarinets

Baritone Saxophone & Bass Saxophone

2 Bass Trombones

2 Bass Tubas

2 Eb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

Bb Major:

Soprano octave

English Horn & Horn in F

Alto Saxophone & Tenor Saxophone

Bb Cornet & Eb Horn - brass band style

Tenor octave

2 Bass Clarinets

2 Bassoons

Tenor Trombone & Bass Trombone - all bass clef

Bb Tenor Trombone (treble clef) & Bass Trombone (bass clef) - brass band style

2 Ophicleides - 2nd has to be in Bb

Bb Euphonium & Eb Tuba - all treble clef brass band style

Euphonium & Bass Tuba - all bass clef

Contrabass octave

2 Contrabassoons

Eb & BBb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

2 Contrabass Tubas

2 BBb Tubas - all treble clef brass band style

 

 

 

 

 

Kors¿r - June 16th - 2015

 

Klaus Smedegaard Bjerre                                             yorkmasterbbb@yahoo.com