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 In ‘Feels like Far’, Doug Tornquist’s debut solo recording (available on CDbaby.com), the Hollywood studio tuba player collaborates with over a dozen instrumentalists. Recorded over a period of three years, Tornquist finally got it finished, squeezing in time between his regular gigs, teaching, rehearsals and sessions. The CD features lesser-known but important chamber works written by composers Anne McGinty, Bruce Broughton and Morton Gould.
Tornquist is one of the busiest professional tubists in the Los Angeles area. He recently completed work on Tim Burton’s latest film ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (composed by Danny Elfman) and Disney’s latest animated hit “The Princess and the Frog” (composed by Randy Newman)- the latter taking over two years to record. “Playing in the recording studios is like playing anywhere else - it has to be good!” says Tornquist. “The skills that I need the most for a day of recording are the skills you learn in chamber music. Listening, awareness, intonation, articulation - these are the skills that you have to have, and consistently.” “The concept (for ‘Feels Like Far’) is simple: anything but tuba and piano,” explains Tornquist. “I wanted this CD to showcase the tuba's ability as collaborative soloist, as well as virtuoso.” A ‘simple’ but also refreshing concept since the majority of available solo tuba CDs feature one tuba/piano piece after another.
The result of Tornquist’s efforts is remarkable: a recording that honors the legacy of the instrument while moving it forward. ‘Feels like Far’ is a breath of fresh air, an exciting musical collaboration featuring a variety of talented players and starring a tuba player with gorgeous tone, jaw-dropping virtuosity, and a knack for keeping the listener guessing. The variety of instrumentation alone is worth the price of admission. Far more than a recording for tuba players, ‘Feels like Far’ is a welcome addition to any discerning music lover’s library.  Though the spotlight is mainly on the tuba, there is so much more to listen to. “Music for Tuba and Friends” is the album’s sub-title. Tornquist’s friends also hail from the southern California music scene and include a group of horn players, flute, clarinet, cello, trumpet, cornet and trombone- all virtuosos in their own right.
Composer Ann McGinty, best-know for her success in writing concert band works also lends her talents. McGinty contributed three short (but sweet) pieces written especially for this album. Additionally, Morton Gould’s nearly forgotten “Sonata for Tuba and Three Horns” (commissioned by the legendary Harvey Phillips) is also featured. However, the highlight of ‘Feels like Far’ is the premiere recording of Bruce Broughton’s ‘Bipartition (1980)’ for tuba and cello. Broughton is one of Hollywood’s most underrated film composers (ever heard the film score to ‘Silverado’?). The late Tommy Johnson commissioned him to write ‘Bipartition’ so he could perform it with his son Keith, an accomplished cellist in his own right. Though the tuba community is familiar with Broughton’s concerto as one of the warhorses of the tuba repertoire, few are familiar with ‘Bipartition’. It is an intense and extremely demanding work; forced into obscurity due to its level of difficulty. Thankfully, Tornquist (with help from cellist Rachel Arnold) resurrected the piece. They have little trouble navigating the work’s treacherous passages with ease. The duo performs with a fury and anger that contrasts with the rest of the CD’s more playful and relaxed music. The final variation will certainly get the listener’s heart rate pumping. Another noteworthy achievement is ‘On the Out-Side (2008)’ written by Anne McGinty. Of her three contributions to this CD, this one is the most special. McGinty’s piece is like a daydream and the trio consisting of Tornquist, Don Foster (clarinet) and Jenny Kim (horn) capture the whimsical and dreamy nature inherent in this composition. Tornquist’s delicate performance and attention to detail on this piece is proof that the tuba is relevant in so many different situations. One hopes that Tornquist will again find time in his busy schedule for more releases like this…with a little help from his friends.
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