Were featuring a live performance of the Concerto for Bass Viol (sheet music link) by John Harbison. This piece was co-commissioned by 15 different orchestras and universities, all of which did a premiere of the work with their principal bassist or bass faculty member. This co-commissioning process was coordinated through the International Society of Bassists, and it is undoubtedly a model which will be frequently used in the future, as it is one of the most effective ways to commission a work from a big-name composer.
Heres the complete performance of the concerto, with each individual movement being performed by one of the participants in the commission/premiere process. I was recording this on my Flip Mino cam at the very back of the hall (not ideal), so bear with the less than stellar video and enjoy this valuable addition to the double bass repertoire:
mvt 1: Dennis Trembly (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
mvt 2: Volkan Orhon (Universiy of Iowa click here for his perf. at U of Iowa)
mvt 3: Scott Best (Memphis Symphony)
(Video Download Link 146 MB)
By the way, the piano reduction and bass part for this work are available if youre interested in performing it on a recital!
Well also be featuring a video detailing the commissioning process, and weve got an interview with Scott Best (who performed the third movement on this video) coming up. Stay tuned!
Contrabass Conversations
