Senad Gacevic: Ave Maria for double bass & piano

About the Composition

Ave Maria is a beautifully lyrical solo emphasizing the lyrical and sonorous qualities of the double bass alongside a simple and supportive piano accompaniment. The edition includes two solo bass parts - one in treble clef for the advanced bassists and one in bass clef for the intermediate player. Originally for voice and piano, Ave Maria is an evocative and engaging transcription which is ideal for any audience or occasion.

This edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings.

“Ave Maria was composed in 2024 for a Solo Song Festival "Horizons of Tisza" and at the suggestion of bassists from the Bassonegro Ensemble I made a version for double bass and piano. It was performed for the first time by Montenegrin double bassist Veljko Belvić as a part of the 6th Double Bass Meeting in Cetinje (Montenegro) on 19 September 2025.

The harmonic language moves within an expanded tonality and the solo part has no special technical challenges and is based on a "singing" cantilena.” [Senad Gačević, October 2025]

About the Composer

Senad Gačević (b.1962) was born in Podgorica (Montenegro - ex Yugoslavia) and studied composition, alongside music theory and pedagogy, at the University of Montenegro - Music Academy with Prof. Željko Brkanović and at the Conservatory "Peter Iljich Tcaykovsky" with Prof. Nikolay Sideljnikov.

He is a Professor at University of Montenegro - Music Academy and is the composer of his solo, instrumental, chamber, symphony and vocal music, including music for theater and film. His music has been performed throughout Europe including Italy, Spain, France, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Turkey, Romania, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosna i Hercegovina, North Macedonia and Kosovo.

Senad Gačević is active as an ethnomusicologist and has made many arrangements of folk music from Montenegro and the Balkan area for different ensembles. His music for double bass is dedicated to the Montenegrin ensemble "Bassonegro".

He received state awards of Montenegro "Oktoih" (2018) for excellent work in pedagogy and "13. July" (2022) national award for national important work in art and science.