Posted by Ola on June 26, 2001 at 08:20:02:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Practicing Mahler 1 posted by Chuck Jackson on June 23, 2001 at 23:53:25:
In Germany, the tradition is to play the whole symphony on F tuba, and I believe that was what Mahler originally intended it to be played on as well. Anyway, the long D CAN be held in one breath if you just practise it and find the knack. Nowadays I can do it pretty easily with a bit of well-planned breathing before. I have around 6 litres worth of lungs, and a lot of people have more than that, but still wouldn't consider doing it in one breath.
For what it's worth,
Ola