Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

1092: Mark Bernat on Bach

Mark Bernat is a double bassist currently living in Austin, Texas. His groundbreaking recording and edition of the Six Bach Cello Suites were driving forces that led to their wider adoption in the double bass world.

Mark studied at Juilliard and is a former member of the Israel Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. He has taught at the Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin, and Emory University. In Austin, he formed the all-volunteer Red River Ensemble, which aims to bring music into high-stress hospital environments.

  • We dig into Mark’s background, how his approach to practicing Bach has changed over the years, the remarkable accomplishments of his daughter Nina, and much more.
  • Enjoy, and be sure to check out Mark’s latest recording of all six Bach Cello Suites on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music!

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Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

1091: Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka on contemporary double bass

Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka, born 1984 in Regensburg, is a double bassist, improviser, researcher, and sound artist. As an active ensemble musician, she collaborates with artists across disciplines to create performances, radio art, and sound installations. She is a member of several initiatives focusing on contemporary music, improvisation, and interdisciplinary art.

Her work has been recognized with scholarships from the Austrian Federal Government, the DOMS Foundation Basel, and the Karlheinz Stockhausen Foundation. In 2018, she received the Theodor Körner Award for arts and science.

We explore her journey with podcasting, ensemble management, pedagogical innovations for the double bass, and much more.

Enjoy, and check out the following links to learn more about Maggie and her fascinating work:

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Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

1090: Nina Bernat Interview and Recital

photo credit: Titilayo Ayangade

Nina Bernat is a double bass performer and educator based in New York City. In 2023, Nina was honored as a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the CAG Elmaleh Competition. Her recent first-prize awards include the Barbash J.S. Bach String Competition, the Minnesota Orchestra Young Artist Competition, the Juilliard Double Bass Competition, and the 2019 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition.

In this episode, recorded live in San Francisco in 2025, Nina shares her background and discusses the program she performed at the 2025 San Francisco Winter Bass Bash. Enjoy!

Recital program: Nina Bernat, double bass Keisuke Nakagoshi, piano

  • Bach Suite No. 5 in C Minor, BV 1011 Prelude, Allemande, Courante
  • Pantomime by Sofia Gubaidulina
  • Prayer by Enrst Bloch
  • Sonata for Violin by Aaron Copland

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Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

1089: Gary Upton on double bass innovation

Today’s episode features a conversation with Gary Upton, the founder of Upton Bass. Since founding the company in 1999, Gary has built it into one of the most established and trusted names in the world of double bass.

Besides exploring the backstory of Upton Bass, we delve into their latest innovations, including amplifiers, strings, BuildBass.com and rosin. Enjoy!

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Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!

1088: ISB Convention Preview with Rodney Jordan and George Speed

Today’s episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 International Society of Bassists Convention, taking place June 2-7 at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU bass faculty members and convention hosts Rodney Jordan and George Speed join Jason to discuss organizing this event, share upcoming highlights, and preview what attendees can expect during the week. Enjoy!

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Connect with us:

Thank you to our sponsor!

Upton Bass – From Grammy Award winners and Philharmonic players like ME Max Zeugner of the New York Philharmonic, each Upton Bass is crafted with precision in Connecticut, USA, and built to last for generations.  Discover your perfect bass with Upton Bass today!