David Heyes: The Golden Road to Samarkand for unaccompanied double bass

About the Composition

The Golden Road to Samarkand is a work of amazing contrasts using a rich and vibrant colour palette to create evocative, engaging and atmospheric musical soundscapes across the solo register of the double bass.

The Golden Road to Samarkand was completed in October 2024, revised in May 2026 prior to publication, and was inspired by a poem by the British novelist, playwright and poet James Elroy Flecker (1884-1915). It was commissioned by and is dedicated to Susan Hagen (Principal Bass, Boston Pops Orchestra/Berklee College of Music), who gave its premiere at Peabody Institute Library (Peabody, Massachusetts, USA) on 23 October 2024.

Each movement title is a quote from Flecker’s poem and a number of playing techniques, such as sul ponticello, glissandi, double stops, harmonics and left-hand pizzicato, add contrast, colour and interest, creating an exotic and eastern flavour throughout its distinctive musical narrative.

Aimed at the intermediate bassist, there are opportunities to explore the amazing colours, contrasts and tonal qualities of the contemporary double bass.

Table of Contents

1. We are the Pilgrims

2. And softly through the Silence…

3. Of Ships and Stars and Isles…

About the Composer

David 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). He 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 700 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.

David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 36 countries across five continents. He is a D'Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning.