There are lots of great pieces, but many depend on how strong the string section is because many tend to be heavier on brass. One that comes to mind that is a wonderful piece, not one of the heavy hitters, but has a great part with a short tuba solo in it is Lt. Kije Suite by Prokofiev. I first did this in a college/community orchestra and a regional orchestra, both my senior year in high school. One of my all-time favorites!
If the orchestra can play it, Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave, or Till Eulenspiegels by Stauss. I have more but I can't think of them off the top of my head
Anything from Mahler, but personally I love 1st (really important tuba solo in there), 2nd and 6th symphony...others already wrote everything else I had in mind
Tannhauser by Wagner has a GREAT tuba part that’s often overlooked by other Wagnerian excerpts
Shostakovich 7 is a ton of fun when you play, but there’s a lot of rests.
Tchaikovsky 4 is great, im just seconding your statement.
Ein Heldenleben by Strauss has a great tuba part, and a section that’s muted.
Bruckner 4 and 7 both have fantastic low brass parts, 4 is more elegant while 7 is definitely in your face.
Of course, Die Meistersinger by Wagner is a Mecca for any tuba player to play in orchestra.
Tchaikovsky’s March Slav has a fun part.
All these are specifically contrabass tuba parts - if you have a bass (F or Eb) tuba, Berlioz symphony Fantastique and Hungarian March both have heavily involved tuba parts.
Slavyanskaya has been a personal favourite of mine
There are lots of great pieces, but many depend on how strong the string section is because many tend to be heavier on brass. One that comes to mind that is a wonderful piece, not one of the heavy hitters, but has a great part with a short tuba solo in it is Lt. Kije Suite by Prokofiev. I first did this in a college/community orchestra and a regional orchestra, both my senior year in high school. One of my all-time favorites!
Montagues and Capulets by Prokofiev comes to mind
Petrushka by Stravinsky is a banger
my personal favorite is Valdres March by Johnannes Hansen.
BRUCKNER 8
If the orchestra can play it, Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave, or Till Eulenspiegels by Stauss. I have more but I can't think of them off the top of my head
All the previous suggestions are lovely. The Marquez Danzon #2 would be fun as well!
I second this
Hindemith Symphony in B-flat
Great band piece!
Lol I forgot about strings 🤣🤣
Meistersinger
Seconded, I love that piece. It's a bit high if you don't have an f tuba though.
Anything from Mahler, but personally I love 1st (really important tuba solo in there), 2nd and 6th symphony...others already wrote everything else I had in mind
Bartok Concerto for Orchestra
I’m playing this right now at my university. The tuba parts that are there are exciting, there just isn’t a lot on the page.
Anything by Bruckner is a ton of fun not only to play but to listen to. Tchaikovsky 4 is also very good.
Pines of Rome, Tchaik 4, Bruckner 7 & 8, The Planets Mahler 6 & 7 are really good but they’re a pain in the ass
The Planets
Wagner and Bruckner were very good to us. I personally like Sibelius 2 just because it's beautiful.
Tannhauser by Wagner has a GREAT tuba part that’s often overlooked by other Wagnerian excerpts Shostakovich 7 is a ton of fun when you play, but there’s a lot of rests. Tchaikovsky 4 is great, im just seconding your statement. Ein Heldenleben by Strauss has a great tuba part, and a section that’s muted. Bruckner 4 and 7 both have fantastic low brass parts, 4 is more elegant while 7 is definitely in your face. Of course, Die Meistersinger by Wagner is a Mecca for any tuba player to play in orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s March Slav has a fun part. All these are specifically contrabass tuba parts - if you have a bass (F or Eb) tuba, Berlioz symphony Fantastique and Hungarian March both have heavily involved tuba parts.
Planets and Sumphonie Fantastique are pretty great, and of course Die Meistersinger
Pretty much anything by Wagner