Programme 106 - More Music for Double Bass Programme

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Programme 106 - More Music for Double Bass Programme description.
In today’s programme I have three items which feature the Double Bass.
I must admit that the concerto I played last in the programme last Monday surprised me very pleasantly when I first heard it. I hope that you similarly enjoyed the concerto by Giovanni Bottesini, his Grande Concerto in Quattro Tempi for Two Double Basses. Therefore I thought that I would feature another of Bottesini’s works today. Bottesini has been called The Paganini of the double bass and also the 19th century's double bass champion. Today we will listen to Giovanni Bottesini – String Quintet No. 1: Gran Quintetto in C Minor Opus 99, which is in the usual four movements.

I am going to follow that up with only three of the five movements of Antonín Dvořák’s - String Quintet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 77, as the entire Quintet is a bit too long for our programme. We have the middle three movements of the five. The third movement, meaning the second one that we will listen to today is a playful Scherzo, and the other two are slower and heartfelt.

The third item today is a one-of-a-kind. A most unusual piece that is part speech, part composition, part improvisation. I thought it would make a complete break from our usual fare. You will quickly see what I mean. This item will end our programme, so please join me again on Thursday at 6 for Sundowner Classics. Let’s see what you make of this next item – I am sure you will enjoy it as much as the live audience did!
Gunther Schuller & Edwin Barker - Failing_ A Very Difficult Piece for String Bass (Live)
7 Jul English South Africa Music · Music History

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