570397Bk Bottesini EU 20/2/08 16:28 Page 8

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

570397Bk Bottesini EU 20/2/08 16:28 Page 8 570397bk Bottesini EU 20/2/08 16:28 Page 8 Wieniawski et Papini. Un critique de l’époque écrivit: Gran Concerto en fa dièse mineur pour contrebasse “Il faut entendre Bottesini en personne pour découvrir et orchestre, probablement une oeuvre plus tardive, est les possibilités cachées dans le géant des instruments à la composition la plus accomplie de Bottesini pour la BOTTESINI cordes -, pour entendre ce qui peut se faire en matière de contrebasse. La première date que l’on connaisse pour sonorité, de ton, de légèreté d’expression et de grâce.” son exécution est mai 1878; une exécution à Londres eut Andante sostenuto pour cordes fut écrit en avril 1886. lieu en mars 1887, deux ans avant la mort de Bottesini. Gran Concerto in F sharp minor Bottesini avait joué régulièrement à Londres pendant les Dans son Gran Concerto, Bottesini ne se contente pas de quelques premiers mois de cette année-là, mais la composer une pièce remarquable. Tandis qu’il explore Gran Duo Concertante composition eut lieu à Naples, ceci suivant le schéma les ressources de l’instrument au maximum (un fait général de la vie de Bottesini à cette époque: il avait évident pour l’exécutant mais pas toujours pour tendance à partager son temps entre Londres, pour le l’auditeur), il adopte un style de composition plus Thomas Martin, Double Bass travail, et Naples, pour la détente. impliqué: il y a une introduction orchestrale longue, les Duetto pour clarinette et contrebasse fut joué à une modulations sont beaucoup plus audacieuses et José-Luis Garcia, Violin • Emma Johnson, Clarinet occasion notable au Royal Italian Opera House, Covent emmènent la contrebasse dans des tons qui ne sont pas Garden, en septembre, 1865, la partie de clarinette étant aussi précis que toniques et dominants. English Chamber Orchestra • Andrew Litton jouée par M. Lazarus, le plus grand clarinettiste Dans ses compositions, Bottesini demeura toujours britannique de son époque. C’était dans le cadre d’une fidèle à l’école italienne mélodieuse mais, dans ses série annuelle de concerts en vogue avec une oeuvres plus tardives, sa gamme s’élargit, avec les distribution à vedettes dont Mlle Marie Krebs et Mlle influences de ses voyages perpétuels dans d’autres Carlotta Patti. Le Duetto suit essentiellement le même climats musicaux. schéma que le Gran Duo Concertante, mais, tout en étant tout aussi divertissant et tout aussi exigeant des exécutants, il est à une échelle légèrement moins grandiose. La clarinette doit avoir été un instrument familier à Bottesini, puisque son père était un Yngve B. Olsson 1986 clarinettiste connu. Traduction : Nathalie Ramond 8.570397 8 570397bk Bottesini EU 20/2/08 16:28 Page 2 Giovanni Bottesini (1821–1889) Das Gran Concerto in Fis-moll für Kontrabaß und lange orchestrale Einführung. Die Modulationen sind Gran Concerto in F sharp minor • Gran Duo Concertante Orchester, wahrscheinlich ein späteres Werk, ist viel gewagter und führen den Kontrabaß in Tonarten, die Bottesinis vollendetstes Werk für Kontrabaß. Das nicht so genau wie Klang und Dominante sind. Giovanni Bottesini is famous as “the Paganini of the list of compositions. Bottesini subsequently appeared früheste Datum, das für eine Aufführung vorliegt, ist Bottesini blieb bei seinen Kompositionen der double bass” and there is rich evidence that such an with such celebrated violinists as Vieuxtemps, Mai 1878; eine Aufführung in London fand im März lieblichen italienischen Schule immer treu, jedoch epithet was well justified. As a virtuoso on his three- Wieniawski, and Papini. A contemporary critic wrote: 1887, zwei Jahre vor Bottesinis Tod, statt. In seinem weitere sich in seinen späteren Werken sein Bereich stringed instrument he was a sought-after performer on “It is necessary to hear Bottesini in the piece to discover Gran Concerto gibt sich Bottesini nicht mit der durch den Einfluß seiner ständigen Reisen in anderen both sides of the Atlantic. Ever since his first concert trip what possibilities are hidden in the giant of the stringed Komposition eines virtuosen Schaustückes zufrieden. musikalischen Klimas aus. abroad, from his native Crema in Northern Italy to instruments; to hear what can be done in the way of Während er die Ressourcen des Instruments völlig Havana, he travelled extensively all his life, sonorousness, tone, lightness of expression and grace.” ausnutzt (eine Tatsache die dem vortragenden Künstler, enthusiastically received everywhere, including at the Andante sostenuto for Strings was written in April jedoch nicht dem Zuhörer bewußt ist), adoptiert er hier Yngve B. Olsson, 1968 courts of Queen Victoria, Czar Alexander of Russia, and 1886. Bottesini had been performing in London during einen komplizierteren Kompositionsstil: wir haben eine Deutsche Fassung: Elke Davies the Emperor Napoleon III of France. He first visited the the first few months that year, but the composition took United States in 1847 and Britain in 1848, with his place in Naples, all in keeping with the general pattern London début in 1849. Like his double bass, however, of Bottesini’s life at that period: he tended to divide his Bottesini himself had three strings to his life: he was not time between London for work and Naples for Giovanni Bottesini (1821–1889) only the virtuoso, but also conductor and composer. His relaxation. Gran Concerto en fa dièse mineur • Gran Duo Concertante most spectacular performance as a conductor was no Duetto for Clarinet and Double Bass was performed doubt at the première of Aida in Cairo in 1871, on on one notable occasion at the Royal Italian Opera Giovanni Bottesini est connu comme ‘le Paganini de la Il devient de plus en plus possible d’apprécier Verdi’s own recommendation, but he also held such House, Covent Garden, in September 1865, the clarinet contrebasse’ et il existe de bonnes raisons justifiant tout Bottesini en tant que compositeur grâce à l’intérêt actuel important posts as that of Music Director and Conductor part being played by Mr Lazarus, the greatest British à fait un tel épithète. Sa qualité de virtuose sur son pour ses compositions, qui, pendant trop longtemps, ont at Covent Garden in London and the Italian Opera in clarinettist of his time. This was part of a popular instrument à trois cordes en faisait un exécutant été négligées. Il n’a pas simplement écrit nombre Paris. promenade concert with a star-studded cast including recherché des deux côtés de l’Atlantique. Depuis le jour d’œuvres pour son propre instrument; il s’exprima aussi A full appreciation of Bottesini as a composer is Mlle Marie Krebs and Mlle Carlotta Patti. The Duetto de son premier voyage pour des concerts à l’étranger de sous des formes aussi variées que les chansons légères, becoming increasingly possible owing to the current follows mainly the same pattern as the Gran Duo sa Crema natale dans le Nord de l’Italie à La Havane, il les quatuors à cordes et les grands opéras tels que Colón interest in his compositions, which for too long have Concertante, but while equally entertaining and equally voyagea énormément toute sa vie, reçu avec en Cuba (La Havane 1847; habituellement appelé been neglected. Not only did he write numerous works demanding on the performers, it is on a slightly less enthousiasme partout, y compris dans les cours de la Cristoforo Colombo), L’assedio di Firenze (Paris 1856), for his own instrument; he also expressed himself in grandiose scale. The clarinet must have been a familiar reine Victoria, du tsar Alexandre de Russie et de Ali Babà (Londres 1870), et Ero e Leandro (Turin 1879, forms as varied as art songs, string quartets and grand instrument to Bottesini, as his father was a well-known l’empereur Napoléon III en France. Il alla aux États- composé en 1875). operas such as Colón en Cuba (Havana 1847; usually clarinettist. Unis pour la première fois en 1847 et en Grande- Gran Duo Concertante pour contrebasse, violon et referred to as Cristoforo Colombo), L’assedio di Firenze Gran Concerto in F sharp minor for Double Bass Bretagne en 1848 avec sa première apparition en public orchestre devint l’une des compositions de Bottesini les (Paris 1856), Ali Baba (London 1870), and Ero e and Orchestra, probably a later work, is Bottesini’s à Londres en 1849. Cependant, comme sa contrebasse, plus aimées. Elle commença comme une œuvre plus Leandro (Turin 1879, composed in 1875). most accomplished composition for the double bass. The Bottesini lui-même avait trois cordes à sa vie: il n’était ancienne pour deux contrebasses, mais l’une des parties Gran Duo Concertante for Double Bass, Violin and earliest date known for a performance is May 1878; a pas simplement le virtuose mais était aussi chef de contrebasse fut récrite pour le violon et Orchestra became one of Bottesini’s most popular London performance took place in March 1887, two d’orchestre et compositeur. Son exécution la plus considérablement développée par Camillo Sivori, le seul compositions. It began as an early work for two double years before Bottesini’s death. In his Gran Concerto spectaculaire en tant que chef d’orchestre fut, sans aucun et unique disciple de Paganini et, à un moment, le basses, but one double bass part was rewritten for the Bottesini is not content with writing a virtuoso show- doute, à la première de Aida au Caire (1871), sur la compagnon de tournée de Bottesini. Sivori doit avoir eu violin and greatly expanded by Camillo Sivori, the one piece. Whilst exploiting the instrument’s resources to recommandation de Verdi, mais il occupa aussi des une haute opinion de sa contribution puisqu’il and only disciple of Paganini and at one time Bottesini’s the full (a fact evident to the performer but not always.
Recommended publications
  • Bottesini Enjoyed a Globe-Trotting Career As “The Paganini of the Double Bass” but Was Also an Accomplished and Respected Conductor in Europe
    NAXOS NAXOS Giovanni Bottesini enjoyed a globe-trotting career as “the Paganini of the double bass” but was also an accomplished and respected conductor in Europe. When conducting operas Bottesini would often perform fantasies on the evening’s entertainment during the intermission. Two such fantasies, ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ and ‘Beatrice di Tenda’, are virtuosic tours de force in which the complex double bass figurations mimic the coloratura vocal writing of the day. In keeping with this vocal 8.570399 BOTTESINI: style, this recording also includes the song Une bouche aimée with double bass obbligato, most likely BOTTESINI: performed on one of Bottesini’s frequent concert tours with various leading sopranos of the day. DDD Giovanni Playing Time BOTTESINI 71:55 (1821-1889) Fantasia ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ 1 Fantasia ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ 10:52 Fantasia ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ 2 Romanza drammatica 8:25 3 Introduzione e bolero 8:50 4 Romanza: Une bouche aimée * 5:12 5 Capriccio di bravura 9:14 6 Elégie in D 5:24 7 Fantasia ‘Beatrice di Tenda’ 11:47 8 Grande Allegro di Concerto 12:11 www.naxos.com Made in Germany Booklet notes in English Kommentar auf Deutsch Naxos Rights International Ltd. ൿ 1992 & Thomas Martin, Double Bass Anthony Halstead, Piano Ꭿ Jacquelyn Fugelle, Soprano * 2008 Includes Free Downloadable Bonus Track available at www.classicsonline.com. Please see inside booklet for full details. The sung text and English translation included 8.570399 These can also be accessed at www.naxos.com/libretti/570399.htm 8.570399 Recorded at CTS Studios, Wembley, London, UK in November 1982 and February 1984 Producer: Chris Hazell Engineer: Dick Lewzey Previously released on ASV CD DCA 626 Booklet notes: Francesca Franchi Cover Picture: Double Bass by Carlo Antonio Testore (1693–1765), Milan 1716 .
    [Show full text]
  • The Double Bass Development in China
    THE LITHUANIAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND THEATRE FACULTY OF MUSIC STRING DEPARTMENT SHAONAN LI THE DOUBLE BASS DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA Study Program: Music Performance (Double Bass) Master’s Thesis Advisor: assoc. prof., dr. Audra Versekėnaitė (signature)... ...................................... Vilnius, 2020 LIETUVOS MUZIKOS IR TEATRO AKADEMIJA SĄŽININGUMO DEKLARACIJA DĖL TIRIAMOJO RAŠTO DARBO 2020 m. gegužės 21 d. Patvirtinu, kad mano tiriamasis rašto darbas „The double bass development in China“ yra parengtas savarankiškai. 1. Šiame darbe pateikta medžiaga nėra plagijuota, tyrimų duomenys yra autentiški ir nesuklastoti. 2. Tiesiogiai ar netiesiogiai panaudotos kitų šaltinių ir/ar autorių citatos ir/ar kita medžiaga pažymėta literatūros nuorodose arba įvardinta kitais būdais. 3. Su pasekmėmis, nustačius plagijavimo ar duomenų klastojimo atvejus, esu susipažinęs(- usi) ir jas suprantu. Shaonan Li (Parašas) (Vardas, pavardė) 1 Abstract Master thesis “The Double Bass development in China” presents the introduction and development of this musical instrument in China. In the first chapter, the double bass in China, I will describe the efforts of early Chinese double bassists such as Zheng Daren (b. 1927) and Shao Genbao (b. 1930) to help the advancement of the instrument in the country. I will also portray the background of musical education in China at that time (1949–1979), with a focus on Zhengkai Ye (no information available so far), who strove to improve Chinese double bass students’ performance skills. I will also introduce some traditional Chinese folk instruments with similar techniques of playing, such as the erhu, a very beautiful traditional string instrument. Both the double bass and the erhu need a wonderful vibrato and good control of the player’s right hand, and both can be used to play the same repertoire, such as 《二泉映月》 (Two Springs Reflect the Moon), composed by Yanjun Hua (1893–1950) in 1949, or 《梁祝》 (Butterfly Lovers), composed by Zhanhao He (b.
    [Show full text]
  • Bottesini's Greatest Hits
    Bottesini’s Greatest Hits Acknowledgments Many thanks to my wife and superb cellist, Wendy, and sons Peter and Andrew, for your patience with my many hours away from home. Thanks to Texas Tech University, for its financial support, and the TTU School of Music for the use of the amazing Hemmle Recital Hall, and one of its beautiful Steinway concert grands. Of course, a recording project such as this requires some wizardry from the recording engineer. Thank you, Will Strieder, Professor of Trumpet, and director of the TTU School of Music’s recording studio for your patience, attention to detail, and your own special brand of virtuosity. —Mark Morton Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Will Strieder in Hemmle Recital Hall, School of Music, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. The recording took place intermittently over a great deal of time. The piano parts were recorded first, then the bass. The first piano tracks were recorded January 5, 2009, and the last bass track was recorded October 21, 2011. Cover Photo by Heather Ann Design Liner notes by Nickolas Miller Piano Technicians: Kevin Fortenberry and Dan McSpadden This recording was made possible in part by the office of the Provost of Texas Tech University. All works edited and arranged by Mark Morton. www.albanyrecords.com TROY1411/12 albany records u.s. 915 broadway, albany, ny 12207 tel: 518.436.8814 fax: 518.436.0643 albany records u.k. box 137, kendal, cumbria la8 0xd tel: 01539 824008 © 2013 albany records made in the usa ddd waRning: cOpyrighT subsisTs in all Recordings issued undeR This label.
    [Show full text]
  • Casts for the Verdi Premieres in the US (1847-1976)
    Verdi Forum Number 2 Article 5 12-1-1976 Casts for the Verdi Premieres in the U.S. (1847-1976) (Part 1) Martin Chusid New York University Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.richmond.edu/vf Part of the Musicology Commons, and the Music Performance Commons Recommended Citation Chusid, Martin (1976) "Casts for the Verdi Premieres in the U.S. (1847-1976)" (Part 1), AIVS Newsletter: No. 2, Article 5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by UR Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Verdi Forum by an authorized administrator of UR Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Casts for the Verdi Premieres in the U.S. (1847-1976) (Part 1) Keywords Giuseppe Verdi, opera, United States This article is available in Verdi Forum: http://scholarship.richmond.edu/vf/vol1/iss2/5 Casts for the Verdi Premieres in the U.S. (1847-1976), Part 1 by Martin Chusid 1. March 3, 1847, I lombardi alla prima tioni (London, 1862). See also U.S. pre­ croclata (Mi~, 1843). New York, Palmo's mieres of Due Foscari, Attila, Macbeth and Opera House fn. 6 6 Salvatore Patti2 (Arvino) conducted w.p. Aida (Cairo, 1871). See Giuseppe Federico de! Bosco Beneventano 3 also U.S. premieres in note S. Max Maret­ (Pagano) zek, Crochets and Quavers (l8SS), claims Boulard (Viclinda) that Arditi was Bottesini's assistant. Clotilda Barili (Giselda) The most popular of all Verdi's early operas A. Sanquirico3 (Pirro) in the U.S. (1847-1976) Benetti Riese (Prior) 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Booklet
    572284bk Bottesini:570034bk Hasse 4/3/10 11:03 AM Page 4 Thomas Martin Thomas Martin studied in America under Harold Roberts, Oscar Zimmerman, and Roger Scott, and has held leading positions with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Israel Philharmonic Orchestras and as a principal with l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the English Chamber Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and latterly, the London Symphony Orchestra. He has been Principal Double Bassist with the Oxford Philomusica since its first season. He now also pursues an interest in solo playing, appearing in recitals and concertos with orchestras around the globe. He is Professor of Double Bass at London’s Royal College of Music and was appointed International Fellow of Double Bass at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in September 2007, gives master-classes internationally, and is responsible for many editions of music for double bass. He has BOTTESINI served on many International Competition juries, and is also well known as a luthier, having so far made over 140 basses. Fantasia on Timothy Cobb Outside of his duties as principal bass of the Met Orchestra and Double Bass Faculty Chair at the Juilliard School, double bassist Timothy Cobb maintains a busy schedule of chamber collaborations and solo appearances. He themes of Rossini collaborates with well known quartets and distinguished colleagues. His festival appearances include most of the major summer festivals in the United States, and he serves as solo bassist for the St Barth’s Music Festival in January each year. He is also on the faculty of the Sarasota Music Festival each June, coaching and performing chamber Passioni amorose music.
    [Show full text]
  • Bottesini US 1/15/08 12:03 PM Page 5
    557042 bk Bottesini US 1/15/08 12:03 PM Page 5 Harold Hall Robinson 9 Une bouche aimée Beloved lips An internationally acclaimed artist, Harold Hall Robinson is currently the principal Une bouche aimée a dit à mon coeur: Beloved lips said to my heart: contrabassist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Prior to this he spent ten seasons as principal “Viens, ô mon amour, ô toi, mon seul bonheur. “Come, O my love, O thou, my only joy. BOTTESINI bassist of the National Symphony Orchestra, eight seasons as associate principal of the Viens, ah! viens mon coeur, Come, ah, come, my heart, Houston Symphony Orchestra and three seasons as principal of the New Mexico Symphony ô toi, mon seul bonheur. O thou, my only joy. Orchestra. A prize-winner at the 1982 Isle of Man Solo competition, Harold Hall Robinson has Music for Double Bass and Piano • 2 performed concertos with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Symphony, Houston Adieu les tristes automnes. Farewell sad autumns, Symphony, New York Philharmonic, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, American Chamber Voici venir le printemps. Here comes the spring. Orchestra and the Greenville South Carolina Orchestra. In addition he is known for his La terre se couvre de fleurs, The earth is covered with flowers, Concerto No. 2 • Tutto che il mondo serra outstanding recitals and master classes throughout the United States. He is currently on the les rayons dorés ont tari ses pleurs. the golden rays have dried her tears. faculty of the Curtis Institute. Dans la feuille nouvelle In the new foliage Photo: Chris Lee chante la tourterelle.
    [Show full text]
  • Giovanni Bottesini (1821-89) Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B Minor (I) Allegro (Ii) Andante (Iii) Allegro
    Giovanni Bottesini (1821-89) Double Bass Concerto no. 2 in B minor (i) Allegro (ii) Andante (iii) Allegro One of the most colourful – and mysterious – celebrities in nineteenth-century music is Giovanni Bottsini, the double bass virtuoso who also became a successful opera composer and conductor. Bottesini was to the double bass what Paganini was to the violin, or Liszt to the piano, a virtuoso supreme who astonished his audiences with effects previously unimaginable. At the age of fifteen he applied for a scholarship at the Milan Conservatory. On learning that there were only a few remaining places, including one reserved for double bass, he gave himself a crash course on the instrument, mastering enough technique to convince the selection panel he was worthy. He left the Conservatory four years later, taking with him a prize of 300 francs for solo playing. Soon he was touring the world as a principal bass and conductor for leading opera houses from Havana to London, delighting audiences during interval with his spectacular variations on arias from whatever opera was being presented. Bottesini must have been a splendid conductor. His friend, Giuseppe Verdi, entrusted him with the premier of Aïda in 1871. Bottesini also composed operas himself, at least ten, but none survives in the repertoire. His works for double bass, however, including two concertos, have become essential repertoire for bass players. But Bottesini was less than systematic in his paper work, and scholars are unable to date most of his works. Some, including his Second Concerto, survive only in piano reduction form, requiring others to create orchestral versions.
    [Show full text]
  • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE the Double Bass
    CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE The Double Bass and the Performance of its Solo Repertoire A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Music in Music, Performance By Mika Shimomoto December 2018 The graduate project of Mika Shimomoto is approved: _________________________________________ _______________ Professr Elizabeth A Sellers Date _________________________________________ _______________ Dr. John Roscigno Date _________________________________________ _______________ Dr. Lorenz A Gamma, Chair Date California State University, Northridge ii Acknowledgements I would first like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Lorenz Gamma. The door to Dr. Gamma’s office was always open whenever I had trouble or questions about my research and writing. He also consistently allowed me to come to ask him about my recital. He steered me in the right direction whenever he thought I needed it. I would also like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Sellers and Dr. John Roscigno for being on my committee and their invaluable encouragement of my performing and academic experiences during my master studies. My sincere thanks also goes to my mentor, Oscar Meza, who was a great support to me throughout my studies. He taught me not only performing but also how to be a strong person. iii Table of Contents Signature Page ii Acknowledgments iii List of Figures and Charts v Abstract vi Introduction 1 “The Double Bass”, a Complex Musical Instrument 3 Development of the Double Bass and Changing the Roles 7 The Virtuoso and Solo Repertoire for Double Bass 12 Different Approaches for Solo Performance of the Double Bass 21 Conclusion 26 References 28 Bibliography 33 Appendix 1 35 Appendix 2 36 iv List of Figures Figure 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Double-Bassist Xavier Foley Joins the Atlanta Symphony
    SCHUBERT: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 114, “Trout” Notes on the Program By Noel Morris ©2020 Those days were filled with ups and downs: A friend “Whenever was jailed for sedition. Schubert battled depression. He was never financially secure, yet was not entirely I tried to sing unappreciated. In fact, while on vacation in 1825, of love, it turned he wrote to his parents: “l find my compositions to pain. And again, everywhere all over Upper Austria.” Between 1815 and 1817, he wrote some 300 songs. when I tried to sing of “Die Forelle,” The Trout, probably came from this time, although there is an amusing account pain, it turned to love.” from Schubert’s friend Anselm Hüttenbrenner. He reported that the two of them had drained a few chubert wrote those words in 1822. Now, bottles before the 21-year-old composer wrote the almost two-hundred years later, musicians song in 1818. Other sources suggest the music had like to repeat them because that’s how been in Schubert’s head since 1817. In any case, Schubert gets his hooks in you. The poignancy of S he produced that manuscript and added the time his music lies in his ability to instantly shift between stamp: “at 12 o’clock at night.” emotional extremes, like fast-moving storm clouds that alternately cover or intensify the sunlight. In 1819, Schubert and baritone Josef Vogl, The composer was one of fourteen children vacationed together in the town of Steyr in Upper born to Franz and Elisabeth Schubert. Only five Austria where they took hikes into the mountains survived infancy.
    [Show full text]
  • Fryderyk Chopin's Music on Double Bass
    FRYDERYK CHOPIN’S MUSIC ON DOUBLE BASS: FOUR ETUDES TRANSCRIBED FOR DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO by FRANCISCO GONÇALVES DE AZEVEDO (Under the Direction of Milton Masciadri) ABSTRACT A significant part of the available double bass repertoire is composed of transcriptions from other instruments. Only a handful of those consist of works composed by the Polish pianist and composer Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849). The purpose of this project is to add to the double bass repertoire through the transcriptions of the Etudes Op. 10 No. 3, Op. 10 No. 6, Op. 10 No. 9, and Op. 25 No. 7, for double bass and piano. The document provides a brief historical background of the practice of transcriptions, and of transcribing pieces for the double bass, pointing out pieces transcribed by important double bassists. It also presents a connection between the music of Chopin and Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889), who shared influence from the bel canto style. The technical and stylistic choices made in the transcription of the etudes are explored. Performance versions of the etudes, with piano parts for the use with double bass in orchestra and solo tunings, are presented in the appendices. INDEX WORDS: double bass, Fryderyk Chopin, Etude Op.10 No.3, Etude Op.10 No.6, Etude Op.10 No.9, Etude Op.25 No.7, transcription for double bass, double bass repertoire, performance edition. FRYDERYK CHOPIN’S MUSIC ON DOUBLE BASS: FOUR ETUDES TRANSCRIBED FOR DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO by FRANCISCO GONÇALVES DE AZEVEDO B.M.Ed., Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, 2004 M.M. University
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Difficulties and Solutions in Double Bass
    TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AND SOLUTIONS IN DOUBLE BASS CONCERTOS A CREATIVE PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE MASTER OF MUSIC BY IAN ELMORE PROF. JU-FANG LIU - ADVISOR BALL STATE UNIVERSITY MUNCIE, INDIANA MAY, 2020 1 Historically, double-basses and their wielders are notorious for a lack of soloistic quality. Because of this notoriety, composers have tended to stray away from writing for the double-bass concerto medium. This compositional task has been left to those who truly understand the instrument. The three concertos that I have selected to study are those that I have played (or am currently playing), including a concerto that was on my MM recital. The three concertos also introduce different technical difficulties that were understood by the composers, as they themselves were bassists. Serge Koussevitzky’s concerto is robust and lyrical. Its melodic content is far simpler than the other two. The remaining concertos, one composed by Giovanni Bottesini (no. 2) and the other by Édouard Nanny (named for Domenico Dragonetti, the dedicatee), are written in Italian and French styles, respectively. All three of the works are late Romantic works. The first movement of each work will be examined, as first movements alone are usually requested for professional symphony audition purposes. I will also give a brief historical background for each work. I have selected these concertos because they each present unique technical challenges. The challenges that rise in these works concern bowings, fingerings, harmonics, and bow strokes. Every bassist has a different approach to the music in each concerto, meaning different musical choices will be made, including decisions about tempo and dynamics.
    [Show full text]
  • Bottesini US 5/12/08 12:05 Page 8
    570400bk Bottesini US 5/12/08 12:05 Page 8 Io ti chiamo e affido all’onde il tuo nome I call you and entrust to the waves your name ed un sospir, and a sigh, Non un eco, mi risponde muto Not even an echo answers me, è il cielo ai miei desir, heaven and earth are deaf to my desires. Triste un metro di dolore la mia cetra spira invan. A sad metre of sorrow is given out in vain by my lyre. Non va gio del mio core, There is no joy in my heart, ci divide l’ocean. we are divided by the ocean. Più non va per me sorriso non accento lusinghier, There is no smile for me, there is no happy sound, BOTTESINI Se non splende il tuo bel viso If your beautiful face does not shine forever sempre fervido pensier. in my fervent thought. Non va gioia nel mio core, There is no joy in my heart, ci divide l’ocean. we are divided by the ocean. Fantasia ‘La 0 Romanza Dove fuggiste mai giorni del primo amore, Where have the days of first love gone? Sonnambula’ L’uomo che tanto amai perché non m’ama ancor, The man of my first love no longer loves me. Io ti tradiva, è vero, io ti mancai di fè. I did not keep my promise, I betrayed you. Ma il palpito primiero spento nel cor non è. But the first throb of my heart is no more. Ci divide l’ocean Ah, la man che a te giurai ad altra man s’unì, Ah the hand that swore to you is joined to another Ah, ma t’amo ancor lo sai come t’amavo un dì, ah!..
    [Show full text]