Armand Russell: Tango Fantasy: Homage à Piazzolla for unaccompanied double bass

About the Composition

Tango Fantasy is a vibrant and engaging work, abounding with tango rhythms and influences, and ideal for the advanced bassist.

In one extended movement, there are opportunities to display both technical and musical prowess in the tango style with numerous challenges to explore the textures and timbres of the solo double bass. The combination of tango styles alongside contemporary musical idioms creates a work of striking originality and drive.

A range of percussion sounds are also used to add variety and character.

One of the main influences on the Tango Fantasy is the music of Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) who developed the tango in new directions which departed to a considerable extent from the traditional tangos which flourished previously.

About the Composer

Armand Russell was born in Seattle, Washington in 1932. He received the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Washington, with a major in music composition, and a Doctorate in music composition from the Eastman School of Music. He studied double bass with Leslie Martin, who played in the Seattle Symphony and Boston Symphony Orchestras, and at the Eastman School of Music with Oscar Zimmerman. His composition studies were with John Verrall and George McKay at the University of Washington, and with Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson at the Eastman School.

Professionally, Armand Russell played double bass in many orchestras including the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Tour Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic and Civic Orchestras, and Honolulu Symphony. For five years he taught as a visiting Professor at the Eastman School of Music. From 1961 to 1994 he taught at the University of Hawaii Music Department and retired as Professor emeritus in 1994. While at the University of Hawaii he taught music theory, composition and double bass and also served as Chair of the Music Department for seven years.

Armand Russell's compositional style is confident and direct with a clarity of line and texture always to the fore. A modern, yet lyrical and accessible style, has created works which communicate equally to performers and audiences alike and he has made, and continues to make, a unique and valuable contribution to the double bass literature throughout a long and successful career.