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David Heyes

Mary Rae: Celebrations Book 4: 17 pieces for unaccompanied double bass

Mary Rae: Celebrations Book 4: 17 pieces for unaccompanied double bass

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About the Book

Celebrations Book 4 brings together seventeen exciting, evocative and inventive works for unaccompanied double bass by American composer Mary Rae. Composed between 2016 and 2021, each piece was written for a specific bassist, commemoration, or anniversary, and all are aimed at the adventurous intermediate bassist. 

Mary Rae is probably best described as a miniaturist with each piece exquisitely crafted and shaped, employing a rare palette of colors and timbres. None outstay their welcome and are ideally suited to the bassist who enjoys exploring the sonorous and colorful potential of the unaccompanied double bass. 

A Suite for Vojta Kuchynka - composed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Czech bassist-composer Vojta Kuchynka (1871-1942) 

Syrinx - composed for ‘The Syrinx Project’ to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Claude Debussy 

Lost in Thought - composed for ‘A Turetzky Tribute’ to celebrate the 85th birthday of the legendary American contemporary bassist Bert Turetzky 

Leonardo’s Birds - composed for ‘Da Vinci 500’ to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci 

Self-Portrait (December 2020) - composed for Self-Portrait 2021, a project devised by David Heyes and Recital Music 

Among the Roses - composed for ‘Gary Karr @ 80’ to celebrate the 80th birthday of the legendary double bass virtuoso Gary Karr 

For the Sword Outwears its Sheath - composed in memory of the English composer Tony Osborne (1947-2019) 

Tranquility - composed for ‘Rabbath @ 90’ to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Syrian double bass virtuoso François Rabbath 

The Empty Studio - composed for ‘Da Vinci 500’ to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci 

Reflections on a Celebration - composed for ’60 @ 60’ to celebrate the 60th birthday of English bassist-composer-publisher David Heyes 

Yet Still Steadfast - composed for 'Teppo & Frank @ 80’ to celebrate the 80th birthdays of leading bassist-composers Teppo Hauta-aho and Frank Proto 

Four for František - composed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech double bass virtuoso František Pošta 

1. Now Love’s Pained Feeling Gives Me Pause 

2. In Silence 3. In Shadowy Woods 

4. Will You Dance? 

Two Pieces for David - composed as a Christmas present for David Heyes 

1. Repose in Uncertain Times 

2. On the Wind 

Song for the Early Sun - composed to celebrate the 80th birthday of English composer Humphrey Clucas 

Mary Rae was born in Washington D.C. in 1951 and grew up in Virginia. She studied flute and voice in Boston and, at the same time, received a BA in Spanish Languages and Literature from Boston University. Mary has always been interested in composition and devised for herself a course of self-study. Aside from writing for double bass, she particularly likes writing for voice and piano and her works have been premiered in the United States, Great Britain, and elsewhere. 

Mary Rae is currently involved in the revitalization efforts for the Cherokee language, which is severely endangered, as most indigenous languages are. She has studied the language for a number of years and recently achieved teacher certification from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, something which is rare for second language learners. Mary has been working on writing settings for Cherokee hymns with the aim of uniting two of her great interests. 

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