Tony Osborne: True Grit for double bass quartet

About the Composition

True Grit is a lively, dramatic and entertaining bass quartet with much to enjoy for performers and audiences alike. Its rhythmic drive and momentum create energy and a sense of adventure, with musical and technical challenges for each player.

It was composed to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the Hollywood film star John Wayne in 2007, commissioned by David Heyes, and is a fun and enjoyable piece which is aimed at the good intermediate quartet.

‘True Grit was written to mark the centenary of the birth of legendary Hollywood star, John Wayne (1907-1979), and is named after one of his most memorable, Oscar-winning films. The slow-talking giant, nicknamed 'The Duke', played many roles that portrayed people in positions of trust and authority, and facing danger - solid, reliable and compassionate, but usually risking life and limb to uphold right and honor, with a rallying sense of purpose. The music seeks to reflect this mix of tense drama, fighting spirit, dignity and adventure. The galloping opening takes us right into the dusty trails of the Wild West, which were familiar territory throughout his career. A confident theme spells out the driving nature of whatever kind of mission his characters took on. A more defiant and questioning section signified his more light-hearted and rousing moments. The themes return with punchier rhythms and in different keys leading to a closing statement of the opening motif that charges relentlessly to close the piece back on the dusty trail.’ [Tony Osborne]

True Grit was premiered at St. John's Church, Horsington (Somerset) by David Heyes, Sarah Buckley, Kate Palmer and Kirstie Wilson, as part of the 2007 Wells Double Bass Weekend.

About the Composer

Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divided a busy career between composing, teaching, and performing. A prolific composer and arranger, Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem, and many works for string orchestra. Tony’s music for young bassists is very much at the heart of the teaching repertoire, particularly his jazzy and enjoyable bass trios and quartets, and he had the rare ability to create wonderful music which is always player and audience-friendly.

In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass and was a featured com- poser at Bass-Fest for over ten years. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3, was a judge for the British Composer Awards and a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition from 1999 until 2015.

Tony Osborne died on 30 March 2019 at the age of 71.