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

About the composition

As bassists, we know that the double bass can be a very colorful, 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 that employed a range of performance techniques, alongside creating atmospheric mini soundscapes, with movements that 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.

Testimonials

"This work was so moving. David Heyes has created a piece of beauty for our bass community." Gaelen McCormick

"I’ve been working through these. Such beautiful music, David. Congratulations!" Adam Booker, Appalachian State University, USA

"People are STILL talking about it and I played it on Wednesday (and there have been multiple recitals every day here). They were brought to tears. Loved loved loved it. (As do I)... I am playing it again this year. It's GORGEOUS!!!" Susan Hagen/Boston Pops

"What a beautiful piece. It is reverent, moving, haunting, and eloquent" Gina Hagen Kolenda