Beethoven: Recitative & Chorale from Symphony No. 9 'Choral' for double bass sextet (arr. by Miloslav Gajdoš)

About the Composition

Transcribed by Miloslav Gajdoš, this is a masterly transcription of the opening of the finale of Beethoven's 9th Symphony for 6 double basses, including the glorious 'Ode to Joy' - a symbol of European unity.

There are challenges in most parts, playable by sextet or larger forces, and it is great fun to study and perform. The premiere in Brno was played by over 50 bassists, conducted by Miloslav Gajdoš, and this is a must for conservatoires and bass conventions.

Miloslav Gajdoš has written and transcribed many impressive and successful works for double bass ensembles and has the ability to write music that communicates instantly to performers and audiences alike.

About the Composer

Miloslav Gajdoš (b.1948) is one of Europe's most active and inventive bassist-composers. He was born in northern Moravia in 1948 and initially learned violin before transferring to the double bass, studying with Alois Kříž, Jirí Bortlíček and Ludwig Streicher.

He has been Professor of Double Bass at the Vejvanovský Conservatoire in Kroměříž (Czech Republic) since 1971, and was a member of the Olomouc Symphony Orchestra for a number of years. He is Director of the Gregora International Double Bass Competition, founded in 1979 and held every two years in Kroměříž, and has been a juror at many competitions in Hungary, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Miloslav Gajdoš is a prolific composer and arranger and, for almost 40 years, has produced a vast body of original works and transcriptions for double bass which are performed worldwide. His original works combine Czech lyricism and melody with brilliant technical demands, and music from one to sixteen double basses. He writes in a traditional and accessible style, producing music for every level of performer, particularly for the advanced bassist, and his many works for unaccompanied double bass are frequently chosen as international competition repertoire.

[Gajdoš is pronounced GUY-DOSH]