"BETWEEN TUBAS and EUPHONIUMS.....GERHARD MEINL"

Hello everyone.


We continue with this series of interviews with owners, founders or senior managers of the most relevant manufacturers of Tubas and Euphonium in the current scene.


Today I bring you to a benchmark in the manufacture of our instruments that comes from a long saga of manufacturers.


From their factory came the first Tuba that I had the pleasure of owning and playing, and that I still have.


Without further delay, I invite you to meet him and enjoy his experience.


I appreciate your kind collaboration.


Let us begin.


• Name and surname: 

Gerhard A. Meinl

• Do you play or have you played any wind instrument?

Trumpet and I took lessons for Tuba and Saxophone.

• What instrument manufacturer do you own, CEO or representative?

My family is Wenzel Meinl in Geretsried = Melton-Meinl Weston

In 1991 I took B&S private and in 2012 we merged both with Buffet Crampon in France . Now I am a minority shareholder and member of the supervisory board.

• What instruments do you make?

With Buffet Crampon all wind instruments.

Buffet Crampon Group

• What models?

Tubas

• What type of Tubas and / or Euphoniums are manufactured in your company? Professionals, for students, beginners?

Pro B&S , Melton-Meinl Weston , Besson, student and beginners with the brands Besson

• Do you manufacture nozzles in your company?

No

Let's talk about your company:

• When it was founded?

1810 the oldest with Wenzel Meinl in Graslitz , Bohemia

• In what city or country?

In Graslitz , Bohemia , then Austrian Hungarian Monarchy

• Who was the founder?

Daniel Langhammer

• Since when do you manufacture Tubas and / or Euphoniums?

Since the invention in Berlin Tubas , Euphoniums in oval shape since 1810

• What reasons or circumstances led you to manufacture Tubas and / or Euphoniums?

Because they existed

• Who were its main designers?

After beeing expelled and reinstallation in Geretsried with MeltonMeinlWeston my father Anton Meinl and today Ferdinand Kleinschmidt.

At B&S Herbert Fischbach with Bob Tucci.

Regarding the vast experience of your brand in the market:

Please leave us a count of the most relevant artists on Tuba/Ephonium in your catalog broken down as follows:

•      In Orchestra and / or Band:

      Alan Baer, NY Phil

      Norm Pearson ,  LA Phil

      Roland Szentpali , Hungarian Phil Orchestra

      Fabien Wallerand , Paris Opera

      Alexander von Puttkamer, Berlin Phil

• Metal Set
  
  
  Melton Tuba Quartett

•     Soloist:

         Jens Björn Larsen

         Andreas Hofmeier

         Steven Mead

TALKING ABOUT TECHNICAL ISSUES:

• Could you give us your opinion on the different concepts of sound and what characteristics define it, according to the different types of instruments, that your brand manufactures?

It is three dimensional with Sound, Response and Intonation resulting from the overall cutting pattern, when does the leadpipe hit the disturbance of the valves, are these piston or rotary.

• Please tell us a bit about the actual manufacture of brass instruments based on your experience?

Make the instruments consistent and this even by more handwork, be innovative.

IN CONCLUSION:

• In your experience, do you think that the diversity of interpreters, instruments and training opportunities in various specialized schools is being homogenized in the interpretive centers that are already established? (Example: Russian, American, German-Austrian, English, etc.).

Of course there might be a coca cola sound tendency, but the orchestras that understand differenciate on instruments, interpretation , sound  according to composer or tradition.

A important question is whether they play also opera in  pitt.

It is a pleasure and an honor to count on your experience and knowledge in my work as well as your sincere friendship.

Thank you very much and best wishes.

A big hug.