Coming up in Philly Music: Tchaikovsky and Beethoven arranged for a tuba chamber band

Carol Jantsch has been one of the most popular members of the Philadelphia Orchestra ever since she became the Principal Tuba in 2006. Like many tuba players, she’s a highly skilled, dedicated musician who can take a lighthearted attitude toward her role in the musical world. The tuba is an indispensable instrument that lays the foundation for many of the great moments in orchestral music, but no tuba player dreams of being a globetrotting soloist like the superstars of the violin and the piano.

Totally tubular

Jantsch has proved the tuba can be a serious chamber music instrument in appearances with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and local chamber groups like 1807 and Friends. For her Valentine's date with PCMS, she’ll be playing with a band she’s formed called Tubular.

Tubular teams Jantsch with a percussionist, another tuba player, and two euphonium specialists. (The euphonium is a smaller version of the tuba with a slightly higher range.) They’ll be joined by pianist Michael Djupstrom in a concert that should appeal to people who like good-natured events that mix popular music with the lighter side of the classical tradition. The program for the festivities includes Tubular’s own version of the Nutcracker Suite, the Cantina Band from Star Wars, several popular songs, and Walter Murphy’s 1976 disco version of the opening bars of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

What, When, Where, and Accessibility

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents Tubular with tubist Carol Jantsch and pianist Michael Djustrom on Sunday, February 14 at 3pm livestreamed from the Benjamin Franklin Hall of the American Philosophical Society. The livestream can be viewed on the PCMS website, pay-what-you-wish. The video may remain available for 72 hours after the performance subject to the approval of the artists.

Image Description: Carol Jantsch stands with her arm wrapped around her tuba. She's standing on what looks like stairs from the Magic Gardens: stained glass and colorful stones decorate the entire backdrop.