The Tuba Concerto, written to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boston Pops, was premiered on May 8, 1985, by that orchestra and their principal tubist Chester Schmitz. The Concerto is laid out in the normal three movements, but with no pause between them. 
 
The opening movement introduces the soloist at once against a gently rocking pulse in the strings, harp and upper woodwinds. The tuba’s tune is taken up by the other instruments before the tuba introduces a second theme, also in the rocking 12/8 of the opening; this sets off a more elaborate solo passage culminating in an unusual cadenza for the tuba companionably accompanied by all four horns. 
 
An English horn solo introduces the “Andante,” in lines that are increasingly ornate and finally pass to the solo flute. When the tuba enters with its own decorated line, it engages in a brief dialogue with the flute. A new rhythmic section begins with the tuba syncopated against a steady beat in the orchestra. A return of the opening ideas with the tuba, English horn and flute die away in a sustained high string chord. 
 
As the finale begins, the entire brass section sets up the rhythmic pulse that runs throughout the movement, sometimes in sections for full orchestra, sometimes in quieter dialogue, as between tuba and harp with pizzicato punctuation from strings. The woodwinds and the trumpet choir assert themselves. Then after a full orchestral interjection and one last bit of harp/tuba dialogue, the full orchestra brings the concerto to a rousing close.

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Duration: 25 minutes
Premiere Date: 1985