{"product_id":"the-baroque-bass-book-1","title":"The Baroque Bass Book 1 for double bass \u0026 piano (ed. David Heyes)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Baroque Bass Book 1 brings together eight pieces by four of the most important composers of the Baroque era. Aimed at the intermediate bassist, each piece has a wealth of musical and technical challenges across the solo range of the double bass, creating recital and study repertoire which offers much to performers and audiences alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. J.S. Bach - Air \u0026amp; Gavotte\u003cbr\u003eArranged by František Simandl (1840-1912), the two pieces were included as part of Simandl’s nine volume High School for Double Bass and published in 1903 by C.F. Schmidt (Heilbronn, Germany). Air is more popularly known as ‘Air on a G string’ and is from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major. Remaining in bass clef throughout, this is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the lyrical and sonorous qualities of the double bass in its middle register. Gavotte, by contrast, is lively and rhythmic and is originally from Cello Suite No.6 in D major, here with the addition of a piano accompaniment. The music is beautifully elegant and stylish, making effective use of the solo register of the double bass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2. J.S. Bach - Courante\u003cbr\u003eFrench bassist Édouard Nanny (1872-1942) transcribed a number of movements from Bach’s Cello Suites and the Courante from Cello Suite No.1, featuring a piano accompaniment by French composer Paul Vidal (1863-1931), was published by Alphonse Leduc in Paris in 1923. Transposed into C major and with the addition of bowings and articulations by Nanny, the Courante can be performed with or without the piano accompaniment. It is a bright and breezy dance movement which transcribes well for the double bass and remains in bass clef throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3. J.S. Bach - Meditazione\u003cbr\u003eAir on a G string from Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major has probably been transcribed more than any other piece by Bach. Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889) arranged it for double bass and piano, also with string orchestra accompaniment, transposing it a fourth higher and changing the title to Meditation. This more virtuosic version of the Air exploits the solo register of the double bass and, in a letter dating from 1877, Bottesini mentions playing an aria by Bach which could be this transcription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4. G.F. Handel - Two Eighteenth-Century Arias\u003cbr\u003eThese two bass arias offer a range of musical and technical challenges for the good intermediate bassist, with lively and evocative accompaniments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevenge, Timotheus Cries\u003c\/em\u003e is from 'Alexander's Feast' and is a lively and energetic aria in C major. Abounding in scale and arpeggio figures, it makes use of low thumb position, also using the lower register to good effect, and would make an accessible recital and study piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBehold the Monstrous Beast\u003c\/em\u003e is taken from 'Belshazzar' and a heroic and dramatic approach will produce a convincing and successful performance. There are technical challenges in the orchestral range of the double bass, going no higher than low thumb position, in music which is bold and direct.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5. G.P. Telemann - Allegro\u003cbr\u003eOriginally for flute, this four-movement sonata was first published in Tafelmusik Part 1, No. 5 in 1733. Arranged with piano accompaniment by Max Seifert (1868-1948) and the basis for this new edition for double bass, the Allegro is spirited and animated, with a strong rhythmic momentum alongside musical and technical challenges primarily in the orchestral register of the instrument. The accompaniment is supportive and colorful and this could easily be performed as a double bass duet with bass 2 playing the bass line of the accompaniment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6. Antonio Vivaldi - Largo\u003cbr\u003eLargo was arranged for violin and piano by Hjalmar von Dameck (1864-1927) from Concerto for 2 Violins \u0026amp; Cello (RV 565), which was originally published as part of L’estro armónico Op.3 (No.11) in 1711 and was changed from 12\/8 to 6\/8 time. The soloist emphasizes beautifully extended lyrical phrasing alongside a slow-moving chordal accompaniment which adds both color and support. The original orchestral accompaniment only uses violins and violas until the final few bars when the cello and bass underline the harmony and add drama and depth. Largo transcribes beautifully for the double bass and was recorded by František Pošta for Supraphon (SUK 30189) in 1963.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Editor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Heyes studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post- graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman. David's collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 750 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 35 countries across five continents. He is a D'Addario Performing Artist, has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning, and in 2025 was awarded a Fellowship from Victoria College of Music \u0026amp; Drama (London).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Heyes","offers":[{"title":"$0","offer_id":45546139910188,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"$5","offer_id":45546139942956,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"$10","offer_id":45546139975724,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"$15","offer_id":45546140008492,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"$20","offer_id":45546140041260,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0585\/0559\/2876\/files\/0_005e8589-410a-486b-a659-62c09bfb4ed7.jpg?v=1774458381","url":"https:\/\/shop.doublebasshq.com\/products\/the-baroque-bass-book-1","provider":"Double Bass Sheet Music","version":"1.0","type":"link"}