Editing Cimbasso (section)

== Repertoire and performance ==

Although the cimbasso in its modern form is most commonly used for performances of late [[Romanticism|Romantic]] Italian operas by Verdi and Puccini, since the mid 20th century it has found increased and more diverse use. It has occasionally appeared in modern scores, such as Russian composer [[Boris Tishchenko]]'s fifth and eighth symphonies,{{sfn|Daniels|Oertel|Rahbee|2022|loc=Tishchenko, Boris|p=866-867}} Swedish composer [[Anders Hillborg]]'s ''Exquisite Corpse'' (2005),{{sfn|Daniels|Oertel|Rahbee|2022|loc=Hillborg, Anders|p=393-394}} and English composer [[Brian Ferneyhough]]'s [[New Complexity]] work ''Plötzlichkeit'' (2006).{{sfn|Daniels|Oertel|Rahbee|2022|loc=Ferneyhough, Brian|p=284}}

Along with the contrabass trombone, it has increasingly been called for in [[film score|film]] and [[video game music|video game]] [[soundtrack]]s.<ref>{{Cite Grove |title=Tuba |id=A2257418 |first=Clifford |last=Bevan |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2257418 |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 January 2024 }}</ref> [[Los Angeles]] tuba players [[Tommy Johnson (tubist)|Tommy Johnson]], Doug Tornquist and Jim Self have appeared on many Hollywood soundtracks playing cimbasso,{{sfn|Kifer|2020|p=85–86}}<ref name="self-instruments"/> especially since the popularization of loud, low-brass heavy orchestral music in films and video games such as the remake of ''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]'' (2001), ''[[Call of Duty (video game)|Call of Duty]]'' (2003) and ''[[Inception]]'' (2010).{{sfn|Kifer|2020|p=48}} American [[nu metal]] band [[Korn]] used two cimbassos in the [[live music|live]] backing orchestra for their [[acoustic music|acoustic]] ''[[MTV Unplugged (Korn album)|MTV Unplugged]]'' album.<ref name="korn-unplugged">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r952806 |title=MTV Unplugged |author=[[Korn]] |date=2007 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=3 August 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424124332/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r952806 |url-status=live }}</ref> Swedish jazz musicians Per–Åke Holmlander and Mattis Cederberg employ cimbasso in jazz as a solo instrument, and for playing the fourth trombone parts in [[big band]]s.<ref name="ljn-swedish-azz">{{Cite web |title=Festival Report: Festival Jazz em Agosto 2015 in Lisbon |last=Bolte |first=Henning |work=London Jazz News |date=18 August 2015 |url= https://londonjazznews.com/2015/08/18/festival-report-festival-jazz-em-agosto-2015-in-lisbon/ |access-date=5 February 2024 }}</ref><ref name="WDR-Unsquare">{{Cite AV media |title=Dave Brubeck – Unsquare Dance |author=WDR Big Band |others=[[Dave Brubeck|Brubeck, Dave]] (composer); Pfeifer-Galilea, Stefan (arranger); Mintzer, Bob (director); Cederberg, Mattis (cimbasso) |medium=music video |publisher=[[Westdeutscher Rundfunk]] |publication-place=Cologne |date=6 April 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxEhkjjLn1E |access-date=22 May 2023 |via=YouTube |archive-date=22 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522032009/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxEhkjjLn1E&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Historically informed performance]] of early cimbasso parts presents particular challenges. Unless proficient with period instruments such as [[serpent (instrument)|serpent]] or ophicleide, it is difficult for orchestral low-brass players to perform on instruments that resemble the early ''cimbassi'' in form or [[timbre]]. It is also challenging for instrument builders to find good surviving examples to replicate or adapt.{{sfn|Meucci|1996|p=162}} 

Although there is still a lack of consensus from conductors and orchestras, using a large-bore modern orchestral [[contrabass tuba|C tuba]] to play cimbasso parts is considered inappropriate by some writers and players. Italian [[organology|organologist]] Renato Meucci recommends using only a small narrow-bore F tuba, or a bass trombone.{{sfn|Meucci|1996|p=161–2}} [[James Gourlay]], conductor and former tubist with [[BBC Symphony Orchestra]] and [[Zürich Opera]], recommends playing most cimbasso repertoire on the modern F cimbasso, as a compromise between the larger B♭ {{lang|it|trombone basso Verdi}} instrument and the bass trombone. He also recommends using a euphonium in the absence of a period instrument for early cimbasso parts, which is closer to the sound of the serpent or ophicleide that would have been used before 1860.{{sfn|Gourlay|2001|p=8–9}} [[Douglas Yeo]], former bass trombonist with [[Boston Symphony Orchestra]], even suggests that in a modern section of slide trombonists playing parts intended for valved instruments, it should not be unreasonable to perform the cimbasso part on a modern (slide) contrabass trombone.{{sfn|Yeo|2017|p=246}}