Tuba. Nominal pitch: F.

Besson

Photo by Antonia Reeve © The University of Edinburgh

Alternative Title

Tuba.

Instrument

Bass tuba

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Besson

Place Made

United Kingdom; London; Europe; England

Date Made

Circa 1931

Description

5 valves, Barlow model. Technical description: Silver-plated brass; `Barlow model', the normal British 5-valve tuning arrangement, the 4th valve lowers by 5 semitones, the 5th valve by 1 semitone.4th and fifth tuned wide for use in combination. Five uncompensated valves give scope for choice of valve combinations to produce the whole compass with acceptable intonation. The replacement tuning-slides have stockings to facilitate movement. With 4 water-keys and fitting for music card holder. Finger-ring on 5th v.t.s. to enable adjustment while playing. Valve type: 5 Périnet valves, bottom sprung; alignment by key on piston. Repair History: New leadpipe made by Derek Farnell of Crumpsall, Manchester, c 1982; tubing between the 5th valve and the tuning-slide has been replaced, possibly also c 1982. New pistons made and casings re-bored by Walter Nirschl, 1991; Bow for the main tuning-slide and all tuning-slide inner slides replaced 1991. Subsequently silver-plated. Overall size: 893; bell 432. Sounding length: minimum 3552. Bore: mouthpipe at c 40mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 13.2; centre of 3 valve cluster at c 345mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (1,2,3) 17.9; centre of 2 valve cluster at c 555mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (4,5) 18.8; m.t.s. at c 735mm from mouthpiece receiver, tuning slide bore 18.8; m.t.s. at c 1025mm from mouthpiece receiver, tuning slide bore 22.8; at 1776mm from bell end, c 43.9; at c 1286mm from bell end, 62.1. B = 0.35. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. 14.6 - 14.1. Inscribed on bell "CLASS / A" / ribbon with no visible inscription / monogram FB / "BESSON & Co. / Prototype / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON / ENGLAND" / five pointed star. Inscribed on sides of valve casings "1"; "2" / "BESSON & Co. / BREVETE" within ellipse with five pointed star / "124581"; "3"; "4"; "BESSON & Co. / BREVETE" within ellipse with five pointed star / "5". Fitted black hard case with maker's nameplate inside inscribed "BARRY STOTT CASES / TEL: (021) 797 0739". Performance characteristics: John Fletcher wrote (1975), `The finest tubas to come my way are still the Barlow Fs made by Besson between the wars ... Barlow had a number of Fs made in ever increasing sizes. Some were pretty poor, but the last three the largest despite their forty years of age are still being put to marvellous use by Stuart Roebuck and Vic Saywell. They are arguably the finest tubas in any pitch ever to be made in this country, and represent a marvellous example of collaboration between an instrument maker and a virtuoso player.' `Barlow rejected the compensating system and used five valves to cope with intonation problems. This involved having very flat third and fourth valves and tuning the fifth to 3/4 of a tone. Subsequent owners have had the slides cut to facilitate more conventional fingering. These instruments have a unique sound quality and seem to me to embody everything one looks for in an F tuba smooth, refined and clear, and in the hands of a really positive player they have a telling pungency in the orchestra, ideal for middle and high register parts. However, like any good instrument, they need an expert player to produce the best of these qualities.' Purchased by lender and used by previous owner with mouthpiece (4049) Specific literature references: Bevan 2000, p.384 (Table 12.1). Specific usage history: Reputed to be the 14th and last 5 valve F tuba made for and used by Harry Barlow (1870 1932), or possibly made for a pupil while taught at the Royal Academy of Music (1931 32). Used professionally by Vic Saywell, a London freelance tubist. Lent to Horniman Museum for "Sound Designs" Exhibition 2006-

Other Information

Specific usage history: Reputed to be the 14th and last 5-valve F tuba made for and used by Harry Barlow (1870-1932), or possibly made for a pupil while taught at the Royal Academy of Music (1931-32). Used professionally by Vic Saywell, a London freelance tubist. Lent to Horniman Museum for "Sound Designs" Exhibition 2006-

Notes

R. Parks, 9.12.00; A. Myers 15.12.00; E. Mitroulia (bore) 18.6.03.

Measurements

893; bell 432.

Provenance

James Gourlay (2000); Sebastian Waller, Oberaudorf, Germany (1993-2000); Bob Tucci (1993); Mike Johnson (1991-93); Margaret Fletcher (1987-91); John Fletcher (c 1982 - 1987); Vic Saywell; Harry BarlowÊ (1931-32).; on loan to the Collection.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

4048