Michael Montgomery: Reflections: 3 Pieces for double bass & piano

About the Compositions

Reflections features three inventive and evocative pieces for the progressing young bassist. Each offers musical and technical challenges in equal measure, with accompaniments that are simple and supportive. Useful as both study and recital repertoire, these pieces can be successfully played as a three-movement suite or individually.

"These three pieces bring full circle my time with a small group of once young students now making their way off to college as young adults, and a new crop of children have entered my studio to take their place.

It is perhaps appropriate this suite should open with a reference to the song “Scarborough Fair” - the poignant, melancholic nature of the song reflects so well the feelings of nostalgia that inevitably accompany this type of coming of age event. In the ambiguity of her lyrics, especially the symbols, we might find space and freedom for our own thoughts and imaginings.

“For Daniela” was written six years ago. Now, as she starts her second year at the university, Daniela’s song is finally finding its place in this collection.

The humor expressed in “Humoresque” is reflective of the fact that these happenings are the natural way of things, and we should not be too awfully concerned - this is, after all, the way it should be. " [Michael Montgomery]

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.