William Tarr (b.2/21/1808 ~ d.7/10/1891)

[Ken Smith]

Tonight, I took out the Tarr and played it in a Concert, cold! Cold, meaning I did 2 rehearsals with the Hart and one with the Uebel (to test it out) and after the dress rehearsal last night, decided to take the Tarr and just wing it on stage. We did this program; http://www.buckscountysymphony.org/e...ALL-CONCERT-29

The Violin soloist played on a Strad. What can I do, bring less than my best on the 8th stand?

The Tarr by the way was shaking the stage and was easily heard over the other 7 basses in the loudest FFF sections. On some of the PPP parts, I couldn't play soft enough. The Bass was ultra smooth and very thick sounding as well as clear as a bell. About the best in tone and power I have heard in a long time. It's BIG, but manageable, more than you would think by looking at it!

This was by the way the first time the Tarr was ever played live in USA, ever, since its birth in 1829. Maybe it worked out so good because it already knows English..