Armand Russell: Two American Bass Quartets

About the Quartets

Armand Russell composed for over seventy years, creating an amazing wealth of solo and ensemble music for the double bass. Two American Bass Quartets date from 2012/13, commissioned by David Heyes and Recital Music, and are aimed at the intermediate quartet but are also playable by massed forces. Each piece features four different ability levels, with opportunities to perform as the soloist or ensemble player in engaging, instantly appealing music.

1. Excursions 

Is in one extended movement, with clearly defined sections, alongside a rhythmic energy which contrasts passages of a more lyrical and sonorous nature. Effective musical and technical challenges create distinctive music which is always beautifully balanced and spaced.

Excursions was premiered on 9 November 2012 at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) by David Heyes, Joe Prindl, Nic Lum and Josie Jobbins.

2. The Bass Affair 

Is dramatic and confident with recurring unison rhythmic phrases which create a strong sense of unity and cohesion. There is a tension between major and minor tonalities in the music, which is endlessly restless, pushing forward to a powerful and spectacular conclusion.

The Bass Affair was performed on Sunday 29 September 2013 at Ritchie Hall (Wells Cathedral School, Somerset UK) by the participants at a one-day double bass workshop, conducted by David Heyes.

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, he 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.

Armand Russell died in October 2023 at the age of 92 years.