David Heyes: Slavonic Dance No.1 for the progressing double bass quartet

About the Composition

Slavonic Dance No.1 is a fun, lively, and rhythmic piece with plenty of action and energy to keep everyone happy. The keys of G minor/major, alongside changes of tempo and mood with melodic interest, shared between the players, create a piece that has an educational aspect but also an audience and player appeal. Slavonic Dance No.1 is colorful and energetic, lyrical and evocative, offering effective musical and technical challenges and ideal final concert work. It remains in bass clef throughout.

Slavonic Dance No.1 is for the junior-intermediate double bass quartet or ensemble and was written for David Heyes’ young students at Wells Cathedral School.

It was premiered by the Wells Junior Double Bass Ensemble at Quilter Hall (Wells, Somerset) on Friday 25 January 2019 as part of 'Songs My Mother Taught Me', a concert to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the Czech double bass virtuoso František Pošta (1919-1991). Slavonic Dance No.1 is dedicated to Jitka Vyletová in Prague.

Who is the quartet for?

The quartet includes four ability levels

- bass 4 is in 1st position only
- bass 3 uses 1st and 2nd positions
- bass 2 plays between 1st and 4th positions
- bass 1 plays around the harmonic register, an octave above the G string.

Progressing Bass Quartet Bundle

Select the 'Progressing Bass Quartet bundle' option and get Ukko Ylijumala, Tarantella Napoletana, Slavonic Dance No. 1, and The Great Wall of China and get all 4 for the price of 3.