Teppo Hauta-aho: Arietta for 12 double basses

About the Composition

Arietta is a rare study in harmonics and is the only minimalist work from the iconic Finnish composer-bassist, Teppo Hauta-aho. The entire range of the instrument is used and the highest harmonics are grounded by an effective pizzicato bass line by Bass 12. Arietta is full of rich harmonic textures and timbres, using small motivic elements to produce a colourful wash of sound. Grounded by a pizzicato line, the high ethereal harmonics display a unique sound world which is unique to the double bass.

Although composed in 1987 and rehearsed at a Suzuki workshop in New York, Arietta was not premiered until 1999. Originally for 16 double basses, it was first performed at Bass-Fest '99 (Reading, UK) and subsequently revised the following year, reducing the ensemble to 12 double basses. The new version was premiered at Bass-Fest 2000 at Woldingham School, conducted by David Heyes.

Each player only uses a limited number of notes and players of all abilities can be included, creating a magical work for atmospheric textures and sound worlds. The piece can be successfully performed by larger forces to produce a wonderful wash of harmonic colour.

Cover Photo: Sarah Poole

About the Composer

Finnish composer and bassist Teppo Hauta-aho was the most prolific bass composer of our time and since the 1970s has composed more than 400 works for double bass - spanning the entire range of standards from beginner to virtuoso.

Teppo Hauta-aho was born in 1941 and studied double bass with Orvo Hyle and Oiva Nummelin in Finland, and František Pošta in Prague. He played with the Helsinki Philharmonic between 1965 and 1972, and the Finnish Opera Orchestra from 1975 to 2000. Teppo Hauta-aho was an active recitalist, both classical and jazz, gave more than 300 recitals with his duo partner, Carita Holmström, and was at the cutting edge of modern improvisation - performing with leading improvisers throughout the world, for many years.

Finnish composer Harry Wessman writes: "As a composer, Teppo Hauta-aho has always been his own teacher, basing his technical knowledge on his wide practical musicianship as an orchestral player, chamber and jazz musician. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that he was the jazz bassist most in demand in Finland in the 1970s, and a few of his works are pure jazz compositions. But the compositional techniques and musical means used in the majority of his works originate in an unusual openness for any devices. Along with modern techniques, his source of inspiration includes all the previous stylistic periods in European music, impulses from Oriental music and, of course, jazz. His own instrument, the double bass, has profited especially from his rich inventiveness in finding new means to conjure forth unusual sounds from the instrument, and in applying them in an artistically meaningful and striking way."

Teppo Hauta-aho's music has been performed extensively in Finland and abroad, notably in America, Britain, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Soviet Union, Australia and Switzerland. He died in Helsinki on 27 November 2021.