Michal Bylina: Birthday Waltz a la Dragonetti for double bass quartet

About the Composition

Birthday Waltz à la Dragonetti is a fun and entertaining work for double bass quartet or larger forces which would be an ideal and effective encore. Influenced by the music of Dragonetti and with an opportunity for the bassists to demonstrate their vocal prowess, it employs the entire range of the instrument in music which never fails to entertain. A must for every bass concert!

Birthday Waltz à la Dragonetti was premiered by Teppo’s Bass Band, conducted by David Heyes, on Sunday 15 May 2016 at Wells & Mendip Museum (Somerset, UK). It was the final work at Teppo-Fest 2016, a four-day festival to celebrate the 75th birthday of Finnish bassist-composer Teppo-Hauta-aho.

“This is one of my early compositions which I wrote in October 2016 for Teppo Hauta-aho’s birthday. It’s a merry waltz for double bass quartet or its multiples, echoing the music of Domenico Dragonetti who has often been my inspiration. Despite being short and simple in structure, it makes use of various bass playing techniques spicing up the overall experience of both the performers and the birthday person. It may be a joy sparking addition to a birthday party featuring a bass quartet.” [Michal Bylina]

About the Composer

Classical bassist, early music bassist, composer and one of the few Viennese bass specialists, Michał Bylina received his Bachelor degree at the Academy of Music in Kraków with Dr. Krzysztof Firlus in 2018, graduating with distinction. Since then he has studied with Korneel Le Compte at Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussels, who described him as: “Exceptionally talented, very enthusiastic, with positive attitude. A model student in all areas.”

Michał was awarded with distinction during the Bonawentura Nancka Double Bass Competition (2015) and the IX International Franz Simandl Double Bass Competition (2018). As a composer, Michał Bylina writes mostly for the double bass. His most important works include Preludes and Fugues, Baroque Fantasias and Ricercars all for double bass solo. His music was recently recognized by Bertram Turetzky, who commented: “Thank you for all that music! I'm overwhelmed with the quality of the music and the extent of your productivity.” Many of his compositions have been premiered in different countries including USA, Germany, Venezuela, Italy and Great Britain.