The double bass, despite its often 'thankless role' in orchestras, has a rich solo history, with its possibilities being explored by composers and performers since the 17th century.
Composition History
Astor Piazzolla's piece 'Kicho' was dedicated to his long-time friend and fellow musician, double bassist Enrique 'Kicho' Díaz, a brilliant interpreter of tango.
Compositional Technique
Joseph Haydn's 'Time of Day' symphonies (Nos. 6, 7, and 8) feature various solo passages for orchestral instruments, including technically demanding and effective parts for the double bass.
Album & Artwork
The album title, 'Viaggio nel tempo' (Journey in Time), reflects its program of original works and arrangements for double bass, spanning from the Baroque era to the present day.
Historical Context
The double bass experienced a golden age from the mid-18th century, with prominent composers like Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf, Franz Anton Hoffmeister, and Johann Matthias Sperger dedicating solo concertos to it.
Composer Biography
Serge Koussevitzky, a renowned conductor and double bassist, chose the double bass for his music studies in Moscow because it was the only instrument for which a scholarship was available.
Composition History
Henry Eccles's Violin Sonata in G minor, though attributed to him, is believed to contain movements borrowed from other composers like Giuseppe Valentini and Francesco Bonporti.
