Michael Montgomery: Celebrations Book 1: 9 Pieces for unaccompanied double bass

About the Collection

Celebrations Book 1 brings together nine exciting and evocative works for unaccompanied double bass by Michael Montgomery, composed between 2018 and 2021. All were written for projects directed by David Heyes and Recital Music, many for anniversaries or commemorations, and all aimed at the intermediate bassist.

Michael Montgomery exploits and explores a wealth of colors and timbres available to the contemporary double bass, always within a lyrical framework, creating music that offers musical and technical challenges in equal measure.

Recordings

Find a recording of these works on Michael's YouTube Playlist.

Table of Contents

1. Syrinx and Pan - A Conversation between Innocence and Malevolence, composed for ‘The Syrinx Project’ in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the death of Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

2. Stages - Continuity and Change, composed in 2019 in memory of the British composer-bassist Tony Osborne (1947-2019)

3. Perspectives - a musical postcard, composed in 2021 to celebrate the 90th birthday of François Rabbath

4. The Shape of Clouds, composed in 2018 to celebrate the 85th birthday of Bertram Turetzky

5. Introspectionism (Observations and Reflection), composed for Self-Portrait 2021

6. Evening Walk, composed in 2020 for 60@60 to celebrate the 60th birthday of David Heyes

7. The Last Supper, composed in 2019 for Da Vinci 500 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

8. Eight for 80, composed in 2021 to celebrate the 80th birthday of Gary Karr

9. Milestones, composed in 2021 to celebrate the 80th birthdays of Teppo Hauta-aho and Frank Proto

About the Composer

Double bassist Michael Montgomery, a student of Robert Rohe (Principal Bass,

New Orleans Symphony) and Lucas Drew (Principal Bass, Miami Philharmonic), earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in double bass performance from the University of Miami, played full-time in the bass section of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra for two decades.

He now lives in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, where he teaches double bass at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and privately in his home studio. Michael has composed numerous works for young double bassists (including over five dozen

short bass quartets for young students) which are published by Recital Music and two American publishers.

His articles about bass performance, literature, and teaching have been published in American Suzuki Journal, Bass World, and Pastoral Music.