Tony Osborne: Carnival Contrasts for 12 double basses

About the Composition

Carnival Contrasts was commissioned by David Heyes for Bass-Fest ’98 and was premiered by the ‘Double Bass All-Stars’ at Leighton Park School (Reading, Berkshire UK) on Friday 29 August 1998. The performers included Alexander Michno (Russia), Corrado Canonici (Italy), Mette Hanskov (Denmark), Teppo Hauta-aho (Finland), Greg Sarchet (USA), David Heyes (UK), Martin Gregg (Australia), Jeff Bradetich (USA), Mark Morton (USA), Patrick Neher (USA), Georgina Poad (UK) & Nick Hyde (UK).

Carnival Contrast is a fun and vibrant work which would be an ideal ending piece for any bass concert. The music is upbeat and jazzy, with a strong rhythmic drive and impetus, with something of interest for all players. Anyone who likes the music of Tony Osborne will love this piece which is a real crowd-pleaser.

About the Compomser

Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divided a busy career between composing, teaching, and performing. A prolific composer and arranger, Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass

quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem, and many works for string orchestra. Tony’s music for young bassists is very much at the heart of the teaching repertoire, particularly his jazzy and enjoyable bass trios and quartets, and he had the rare ability to create wonderful music which is always player and audience-friendly.

In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass and was a featured com- poser at Bass-Fest for over ten years. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3, was a judge for the British Composer Awards and a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition from 1999 until 2015.

Tony Osborne died on 30 March 2019 at the age of 71.