Listening Party for Bassists Archives

Kaija Saariaho – Folia performed by Scott Worthington, double bass

Hardest working bassist in new music, Scott Worthington, doing Kaija Saariaho’s Folia.

Double Bass Concerto by Gavin Bryars, performed by Božo Paradžik

Here is Božo Paradžik playing Gavin Bryars’ Double Bass Concerto with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sequenza XIVb for Double Bass, Mark Buchner

Great piece by Berio/Scoddanibio:

Antonio Escobedo, double bass, performs Four Short Pieces for Solo Double Bass

David Anderson’s Four Short Pieces for Solo Double Bass performed by Antonio Escobedo

Gary Karr and Yuon Xiong Lu perform He Lu Ting’s Berceuse

Double bass super star Gary Karr and Yuon Xiong Lu perform this, with antics.

Video is lo-fi, but the audio works.

Sequenza XIVb for Double Bass, Mark Buchner

Mark Buchner, double bass, takes on this Scodannibio arrangement of Berio’s Sequenza XIVb.

Mark Buchner on Double bass: Et maintenant c’est à vous de jour

Mark Buchner on double bass with Chris Wild on cello play this droney Scelsi.

Double Bass, Electronics, Drone

Kyle Motl integrating double bass and software for some drone.

Mark Buchner performas Theraps for Double Bass

Lots of different sound textures in this Xenakis piece for Double Bass.

Fugue for Double Bass, Flute, Vibraphone

Emma Sullivan (double bass), Michal Rosiak (composer/flute), David Montgomery (vibraphone)

Gajdos’ Invocation for Double Bass performed by Dominik Wagner

Bassist Dominik Wagner performs Miloslav Gajdos’ Invocation.

Spoiler: There is no piano in this piece. 😀

Invocation for Double Bass Solo performed by Anton Jaro Jr

From the same recording date as the previously posed Frantisek Vyrostko videos, we have Anton Jaro Jr performing Miloslav Gajdos’ Invocation for Double Bass Solo.

And, as with Mr Vyrostko’s videos, we get the mic placement as well.

Solo in A for Double Bass, performed by Frantisek Vyrostko

Performing Miloslav Gajdos’ Solo in A for Double Bass is Frantisek Vyrostko from a trio of recordings he made in late 2012.

As a bonus, we get the microphone positioning as well.

Sequenza XIVb Berio/Scodanibbio performed by Frantisek Vyrostko

Another good recording of bassist Frantisek Vyrostko. This time doing Berio’s Sequenza XIVb as re-imagined by the great Stefano Scodanibbio.

As with others from this recording session, we get to see the microphone positioning as well.

Figment III performed by Frantisek Vyrostko

Elliot Carter’s Figment III for double bass solo performed by Frantisek Vyrostko.

In addition to seeing another sit-down bassist perform, it’s good to see the microphone configuration as well. Looks like a stereo pair up in the air about 6 feet out.

Chardash (Czardas) performed by Lev Weksler

This is an interesting approach, a highly edited rendition for two basses by arranger Lev Weksler. I’m not certain what exactly he’s done here. But there are obviously several takes edited together. Some of them I suspect were played slower and then sped up (rendering a somewhat more “digital” or “synthetic” sound).

I’m sure there will be some haters, but still worth hearing and thinking about.

Debussy’s Beau Soir performed by Trevor Robinson

Trevor Robinson (double bass) and Davina Whitlark (piano) perform Debussy’s Beau Soir.

Boves y Bolívar performed by Edicson Ruiz (double bass)

Efrain Oscher’s Boves y Bolívar performed by:

Edicson Ruiz: double bass
Ivan Garcia: bass voice
Sergio Tiempo: piano

Serenata in Vano for mixed ensemble (including bass of course, in this case played by Torbjorn Eide)

Another rendition of Carl Nielsen’s Serenata in vano. Performed by Torbjorn Eide (bass), Per Hannevold (bassoon), Vildar Olson (horn), Sally Guenther (cello), and Lars Kristian Holm Brynildson (clarinet).

Bass & Flute Duett performed by Edicson Ruiz

Philippe Racine’s Bass & Flute Duett performed here by Edicson Ruiz (double bass) and Felix Renggli (flute).

Rencontres for violin and double bass, Edicson Ruiz (double bass)

Jean-Luc Darbellay’s Rencontres for violin and double bass performed by Noëlle-Anne Darbellay on violin and Edicson Ruiz on contrabass.

Edgar Meyer, work in progress

Edgar Meyer shares a double bass work in progress.

Reflections, performed by Taddes Korris

Taddes Korris (double bass), Michael Davis (viola), and Eva Ryan (flute) perform Reflections by composer Tim Kiah.

I like the different textures at work in this.

Vals “Natalia” performed by Edicson Ruiz (contrabass) and José Vitores (guitar)

Vals “Natalia” is written by Luis Laguna. Here it is performed by Edicson Ruiz on bass with José Vitores on guitar.

Short Dodecafonic Piece performed by Edmundo Quiñonez

Gaby Corleto (flute) and Edmundo Quiñonez play Quiñonez’s Short Dodecafonic piece. Sketchy video quality but a fun little series all the same.

Shadows by G. Kurtag performed by Edison Ruiz

Edicson Ruiz performs this Kurtag double bass solo. I love that the Berlin Phil has produced such great videos of this music.

El Choclo performed by Catalin Rotaru on contrabass

El Choclo, arranged by Andres Martin for contrabass and piano performed here by Catalin Rotaru and Anastasia Zhivotovskaya.

Fun mix of arco and pizz passages in this.

Carl Nielsen’s Serenata in vano, Fifth House Ensemble

High quality binaural recording, listen on headphones if you can. Binaural recordings do a great job of creating a stereo image but only really work with headphones on. Eric Snoza on bass.

I have heard that this piece has a program to it. I’ll dig around and see if I can find it.

Zigeunerweisen with Lauren Pierce and guitarist Andy Bell

Lauren Pierce and guitarist Andy Bell break out Zigeunerweisen again in this one.

Also, great example of a mid/side microphone set up. I’ll probably refer to this one in the music technology section eventually. The bottom mic has a figure 8 pattern and is collecting the “sides” of the sound while the top mic is collecting the “mid” or center channel. It’s a great technique for capturing stereo sound.

Glière Suite 4th and 5th movements performed by Gennady Krutikov

Tatiana Porshneva and Gennady Krutikov finish off the Gliére Suite in this video.

Liben has the dots on this.

DIVA for flute and double bass performed by Boban Stošić

Marina Nenadović (flute) and Boban Stošić (double bass) perform Stanislava Gajic’s DIVA.

Kontrabass-Notenheft performed by Edicson Ruiz

Rudolf Kelterborn’s Kontrabas-Notenheft performed by Edicson Ruiz

Preludio e Fuga performed by Edicson Ruiz

Double bassist Edicson Ruiz performs Heinz Holliger’s Preludio e Fuga, which was written for him.

Toot Suite with Gennady Krutikov on Bass

Claude Bolling’s Toot Suite is more of a trumpet thing but it’s getting in here anyway because… chamber music!

Gennady Krutikov in style with Vlad Lavrik – Trumpet, Maria Dzhemessyk – Piano, and Ilya Melikhov – Trap Set

Kicho performed by Irina-Kalina Goudeva and ensemble

Irina-Kalina Goudeva runs the double bass solo in this quality video and audio production (Camille Cottagnoud on the camera and Samuel Dématraz editing). James Crabb on accordion and Søren Elbech is on solo violin.

Also, Ensemble International:

Violins I: Federico Pivato (co-soloist), Ruslan Apostolov
Violins II: Marc Liardon (solo)
Pascale: Servanckx-Delporte (solo), … →

Kenneth Gaburo’s INSIDE performed by Skip Edwards

A piece that explores language as much as it explores the double bass. Written for Bertram Turetzky, it is here performed by Skip Edwards who also gives a little background before beginning the piece around 3 minutes in.

Glière Suite performed by Gennady Krutikov

Gennady Krutikov in the first three movements of Suite for Violin and Double bass along with violinist Tatiana Porshneva.

The sheet music for this can be tricky to locate. But Liben has it.

Bass Quartet (Gunther Schuller) performed by Heavy Hands

Gunther Schuller’s Bass Quartet performed by Heavy Hands at Artist Outpost Resources.

Nino Rota’s Divertimento 3rd & 4th Movements, performed by Gennady Krutikov

It may be from 1996, but still a fun recording of this staple. Gennady Krutikov in the third and fourth movements of Divertimento by Nino Rota. Elena Lebed on piano.

Just Before the War with the Eskimos

A composition by Aaron Holloway-Nahum for Double Bass, two violins and custom cast bronze bells.

In this recording:

Jakub Cywinski, Double bass
Eloisa-Fleur Thom, Violin
Ed McCullagh, Violin
Tom Lee, percussion
Darren Bloom, conductor

The piece premiered premiered at Limewharf, Dec 2014. It was commissioned by the Change Ringing Ensemble.

You can see some sketches of the composition at Holloway-Nahum’s website.

Animals, for Double Bass, Flute and Clarinet. Cameron Mohr on Bass

Animals, by Harry Sadler, performed by Cameron Mohr (double bass), Becky Hoppert (clarinet), and Kim Davis (flute)

Le Grand Tango performed by Lauren Pierce

Recital recording of Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango with Lauren Pierce on double bass and Emily Yates on piano.

I will probably refer back to this video for the microphone placement as well. Great bass-side mic and treble-side mic setup 6 to 8 feet away.

Three Preludes for cello and double bass, Milo Fultz on Double Bass

Milo Fultz (Double bass) and Kathryn Brunhaver (cello) of the Eugene Contemporary Chamber Ensemble perform this work by John Goforth.

Hat and Beard (Eric Dolphy) performed by Kontraphonix

Lisa Dowling arranged this Dolphy piece for Kontraphonix (Dowling on double bass and Annie Lyle on bassoon), which they perform here at The Tank in NYC.

Mikrokosmos (Bartok) performed by Kontraphonix

Patternrooters will recognize the bass element of Kontraphonix as Lisa Dowling. Not sure who the bassoonist is but I’ll update this when I find out. Kontraphonix did the arrangement of this piece as well.

This performance took place at The Tank in NYC.

Maxim Levi’s Dance for Double Bass and Flute performed by Shaya Feldman

Bassist Shaya Feldman and flautist Yoel von Ostroff Culiner perform Dance for Double Bass and Flute by Maxim Levi.

Zigeunerweisen performed by Lauren Pierce and Andy Bell

Fun arrangement of this violin showpiece by the performers.

Valentine (Jacob Druckman) performed by Lisa Dowling

More bass-as-percussion, this time with a mallet and vocal effects, brought to life by Lisa Dowling at the Manhattan School of Music.

Nightmare After Strauss (Alberto Bocini)

Shades of Hendrix in here. I can’t get enough of this guy’s bass music. I wonder if there are scores or what. I know he’s performing this and others of his stuff at ISB 2015 so I don’t think it’s all extemporaneous. But who knows. Either way, much enjoyment.

Czardas, performed by Lauren Pierce

Lauren Pierce on bass and Andrew McMillan on guitar perform Monti’s Czardas in this arrangement by Jeff Bradetich. Looking forward to hearing more from Ms Pierce!

Et Maintenant C’est a Vous de Jouer (Giacinto Scelsi) performed by Lisa Dowling

Lisa Dowling is joined by cellist Mariel Roberts to perform this textural piece at the Manhattan School of Music.

Vocalise performed by Gennady Krutikov

Gennady Krutikov performing Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise on the double bass.

In addition to, of course, the excellent musicianship, this video gives a little insight into microphone placement as well.

Duo for Flute and Double Bass performed by Cody Takacs

Here is a duo piece, composed by Peter Hansen, performed by Cody Takacs (double bass) and Kelly Zimba (flute).

Three Tangos Compilation performed by Gennady Krutikov and Tatiana Porshneva

A duet for violin and double bass featuring Tatiana Porshneva on violin and Gennady Krutikov on double bass. Make friends with a violinist and start working on this one pronto.

Quintet (Seunghee Lee) performed by Matthew Kline and ensemble

Quintet by Seunghee Lee performed at the Fresh Inc festival by Matthew Kline on bass along with an ensemble made up of: clarinet, oboe, violin, viola, and double bass

Ode for Double Bass (Arnon Palty) 1st Movement performed by Michael Klinghoffer

Composed for Michael Klinghoffer, Ode for Double Bass is a jazz piece that mixes arco and pizza playing. Piano accompaniment here is played by Kai-Ya Chang.

‘The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs’ and ‘A Flower’ (John Cage) performed by Lisa Dowling

In which Lisa Dowling uses the percussive aspects of her bass exclusively while singing.

Note the towel on the strings. I suspect that’s there to keep the strings from vibrating while she uses the bass as a drum. Clever.

Arrangement of Vranjanka by Nenad Vasilic

Some great examples of string tapping normally associated with slap style bass, ghost notes, and trills outside of Baroque performance practice.

Fun arrangement of a Serbian folk tune for solo bass by Nenad Vasilic. I found a little bit of information about the dance that accompanies the tune as well.

Also, gotta love what 60fps videography does to bass strings!

Concertino for Flute, Viola, and Contrabass (Erwin Schulhoff) performed by Ensemble Villa Musica

This piece was written in 1925 and contains the following movements:

Andante con moto
Furiant: Allegro furioso
Andante
Rondino: Allegro gaio

Figment III (Elliot Carter) performed by Lisa Dowling

Another one from Lisa Dowling’s recital at Manhattan School of Music. This one from Elliot Carter, a classic American composer.

Frammenti (Stacy Garrop) performed by 5th House Ensemble

Members of 5th House Ensemble perform Stacy Garrop’s Frammenti

Come and Go (Rene Orth) performed by Andrew O’Connor and ensemble

Come and Go, composed by Rene Orth for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and piano, is performed here at the Fresh Inc festival. Andrew O’Connor on bass.

Ballad n. 3 (Alberto Bocini)

Bear with the Blair Witch videography here. The audio is decent and you’ll enjoy the music.

Tre piccoli pezzi (Alberto Bocini)

This one goes all over the place, a tour de force. Hold onto your chair.

Rhapsody (Patrick O’Malley) performed by Matthew Kline and ensemble

Rhapsody is scored for oboe, saxophone, french horn, viola, and double bass.

Performed here at the Fresh Inc festival with Matthew Kline playing bass.

Ode for Double Bass (Arnon Palty) 2nd Movement performed by Michael Klinghoffer

Composed for Michael Klinghoffer, Ode for Double Bass uses jazz harmonies and makes use of arco and pizzicato. Piano accompaniment here is played by Kai-Ya Chang.

Capriccio per Sigfried Palm (Penderecki) performed by Matt Kline

Matthew Kline performs here Capriccio per Sigfried Palm by Penderecki. I believe at some point Kline broke a bow in playing this so consider carefully if you’re ready to take this one on!

Sonata for Double Bass and Piano (Hindemith) Movement 3 performed by Rinat Ibragimov

Here is the third movement of Hindemith’s Sonata for Double Bass and Piano performed by Rinat Ibragimov on bass. The 1st movement of this piece by this performer can be found here.

Sonata for Double Bass and Piano (Hindemith) Movement 1 & 2 performed by Rinat Ibragimov

The first and second movements of Hindemith’s Sonata for Double Bass performed here by London Symphony Orchestra principle bass, Rinat Ibragmov.

Angel of Dusk, 1st Movement performed by Risto Vuolanne

Risto Vuolanne performs the first movement of Einojuhani Rautavaara’s “Angel of Dusk” with Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia.

One of the things I really like about this is how lyrical the bass solo is in contrast to the dissonance and rhythmic punctuation from the orchestra. Just a great combination.

Also some great timbres from blending percussion and harp.

When I found this online I knew it was solid when I saw that none other than Joel Quarrington had complimented the performer and conductor in the YouTube comments!

UNCLING, based on Uncle by Peter Velinkonja performed by the composer–Lisa Dowling

One of Lisa Dowling’s compositions performed at Manhattan School of Music. Great textures and color. I want to learn this one!

A humble Tribute to Guagauanco (Gregg August) performed by Heavy Hands

Heavy Hands gave the world premier of Gregg August’s A humble Tribute to Guagauanco at Artist Outpost Resources in Queens NYC on January 7 2012.

Leap of Faith (Matthew Kline) performed by Matthew Kline

Another dose of awesome from the Fresh Inc festival and Matthew Kline.

There’s a beep that goes off part way through that reminded me of this one time I saw Kronos doing Black Angels and in the middle movement, when everything is all quiet and peaceful, an older woman in the audience’s phone rings and then the woman answers it and proceeds to have a short conversation with the caller.

The beep in this, however, isn’t quite so intrusive. Perhaps owing to the steady-rhythm nature of the work. Hell, maybe it was planned or a general feature of the Racine Art Museum. Either way, enjoy this dose of bass textures.

Bass & Kalimba assemblage by Olivier Babaz

Here’s an interesting augmentation of the double bass: an attached kalimba (aka “thumb piano”). Olivier Babaz gives us his rendition of Paul Desmond’s “Take Five” while also playing a shaker with his foot, one-man-band style.

Augmenting the instrument in this way obviously opens up tons of interesting possibilities for acoustic performance in the same way that pickups opens up opportunities for electronic performance.

Not sure I’d permanently mount a kalimba on my bass, but this is pretty interesting!

Cave: for solo double bass, live electronics, and interactive video (Jazer Giles) performed by Salvatore Macchia

Here is a recording of the world premiere performance of Cave: for solo double bass, live electronics, and interactive video. This is a pretty heavy Max/MSP/Jitter thing. Disclaimer: I used to study with Macchia and it’s fun to hear the control he brings to a piece like this, where it could probably just as easy disintegrate into noise he keeps it musical. Fun sounding and and looking piece.