Thursday 21^st January 2010
7:30pm

Travelling by Tuba

Imagine the gladiatorial Roman horn, with its immense sound, playing a fanfare and march two thousand years ago as the Roman Army marched toward its enemies. Compare this with the Swiss alpine horn— the original, one thousand year old mobile phone— which was carried by shepherds up into the mountains and which could be heard more than fifteen miles away.

Admire the craftsmanship of the beautiful Chinese dragon-headed trumpet and a pair of eight-foot-high Tibetan dungs used by the Buddhist monks. Contrast these with the mellow sounding gems horn and the trickiness of the ocarina. Hear the blaring Turkish schnib and the Zulu warrior kudu horns. Marvel at the cimbasso, Verdi’s tuba with a forward-facing bell— such an amazing variety of sights and sounds!

Formed in 1991, Travelling by Tuba’s extensive recital schedule has included many concerts at music clubs and festivals throughout the UK, recitals at the Bridgewater Hall, St. David’s Hall and tours to Canada, America and Europe. Recently, they have returned from Carolina where they gave the American premiere of ‘A Rhapsody for Tuba, Piano and Wind Orchestra’ by the Scottish composer Andrew Duncan with the USA Army Band(Pershings Own). They have recorded three compact discs as well as having a series of arrangements published. The group has appeared regularly on BBC Radio and television and for many of the independent networks. In 2004, founder member Chris Cranham returned to the group to replace Gavin Woods who left to live on the Isle of Lewis.

Travelling by Tuba has developed a highly successful award winning education programme suitable for children of all ages. It has been featured on Channel 4 on their Okey Cokey Karioke programme and in the Times Educational Supplement. Recently, they commissioned a children’s operetta ‘The Tuba has Landed’ from the composer Robin Grant which had six performances as part of a yearlong project in Blackpool schools. Four of the songs from this operetta are featured on their latest CD sung by children from the participating schools.

Chris Cranham attended Peter Symonds College in Winchester to study on the Hampshire Specialist Music Course with John Fletcher. He entered the Royal Northern College of Music in 1987 to study under Stuart Roebuck, former principal tuba with the Halle Orchestra. Chris won many competitions and scholarships and was for two years a member the World Youth Orchestra, touring South America, Canada and Europe. In 1991 he moved to Germany to play in one of Europe's leading brass quintets - Rekkenze Brass. Chris made several CD productions with the quintet and toured extensively throughout Europe, America and the Far East. He also performed for television and radio and became principal tuba with the Hof Symphony Orchestra in Bavaria. Since his return, Chris has been working both as a solo and orchestral tuba player as well as performing regularly with Travelling by Tuba.

Stewart Death began his formal musical training at City University in 1984 studying piano with Alan Schiller at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  After graduating with a BSc(Hons) in music in 1987 he entered the Royal Northern College of Music to study piano accompaniment with David Lloyd gaining the prestigious Professional Performers Diploma. Since leaving college he has toured throughout Europe with the Concordia Opera Trio and has been heard as an accompanist on Classic F.M, B.B.C Radio and Independent Television. He has worked as an accompanist for Welsh National Opera and has recorded several compact discs with many different artistes including Stephen Mead, Roger Webster, Simone Rebello and Andrew Berryman. He has recently returned from a tour of Poland and has appeared at many top venues including the Purcell Room, St. David’s Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Centre.