David Heyes: Seven Last Words from the Cross for unaccompanied double bass

About the Composition

The commission to write 'Seven Last Words from the Cross' came about during a conversation in March 2016. I liked the idea of creating a work for unaccompanied double bass on this theme and Nick Tall kindly commissioned the work for a performance at his church at Easter 2018. 'Seven Last Words from the Cross' is dedicated to Nick Tall.

As bassists we know that the double bass can be a very colourful, evocative and descriptive instrument, able to portray many moods and emotions, which I wanted to demonstrate to new audiences. I aimed to create a seven movement work which employed a range of performance techniques, alongside creating atmospheric mini soundscapes, with movements which could be performed individually or collectively. Each is influenced by its title and a generally low tessitura is used, although the higher solo register is also employed in some to demonstrate the many and varied facets of the solo double bass.

Over the past four years I have composed many works for unaccompanied double bass and have enjoyed the opportunities, whether writing for a specific ability level, theme or duration. The challenge of creating seven pieces which were both individual and had their own character but also worked as a suite, was daunting to say the least, but one I wanted to accept. My aim was to create a work which demonstrated the true potential of the double bass as a solo instrument and to explore the wide range of its sonorous and cantabile qualities.

Each movement is dedicated to a friend who is also a double bassist, creating a work which is both international in scope and design. 'Seven Last Words from the Cross' lasts around 21 minutes and poems can be inserted between the individual movements.

Seven Last Words from the Cross is dedicated to Nicholas Tall

[Programme note by David Heyes]

Table of Contents

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do [Luke 23:24] - dedicated to Tom Mahoney (UK)
2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise [Luke 23:43] - dedicated to Elsen Price (Australia)
3. Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother [John 19:26-27] - dedicated to Marco Antonio Quiñones Martinez (Mexico)
4. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? [Matthew 27:46/Mark 15:34] - dedicated to Diego Zecharies (Uruguay/Spain)
5. I thirst [John 19:28] - dedicated to Eloine Vatteville (France)
6. It is finished [John 19:30] - dedicated to David Whitla (Canada/Eire)
7. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit [Luke 23:46] - dedicated to Daniel Chiva Sanz (Spain)

About the Composer

David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman.

David's collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 700 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra.

David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 31 countries across five continents. He is a D'Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning.