Contrabass Conversations

 

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This is likely to be the first time most people have ever hear Angel of Dusk, Einojuhani Rautavaara’s double bass concerto. Special thanks to double bassist Phillip Serna for securing the distribution rights to this piece.

This piece is approximately 26 minutes long. Two technical issues are worth noting:

1. The video footage is lost for the first couple of minutes. This happened during the original taping, and there’s nothing we can do about it. You’ll be seeing some background information about the piece, but don’t worry–the video will start up after the titles finish.
2. There are some synchronization problems between the audio and video. Again, this was a problem from the original recording, so don’t be surprised if some of Phillip’s motions don’t seem to line up with what you’re seeing.

This piece is so cool that these two issues shouldn’t mar your enjoyment of it. I’m excited to be able to spread the word about this piece!

Click here for complete recital information plus individual videos for each movement of the concerto

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Check out this beautiful bass by Heartland String Bass Shop owner and instrument maker Chris Threlkeld-Wiegand.

 

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In preparation for this weekend’s CBC episode featuring the final part of our Ranaan Meyer interview, we’re putting out this great video of Ranaan performing I’m Tryin’, one of his original compositions. Ranaan is the bassist for the excellent trio Time for Three, and after watching this video, I think you’ll see that Ranaan is a huge part of why this group has become so popular.

You can check out the first part of Ranaan’s interview here, and click here to watch Ranaan play the Czardas on double bass. The video below is from a recital that Ranaan performed in 2007. In addition to the high-resolution version below, you can check this video out on YouTube or in the bass blog video player in the upper-left-hand corner of the blog.

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This is an amazing off-the-cuff performance from Miloslav Gajdos playing and singing (both parts at the same time!) Mozart’s “Per Questa Bella Mano” on the double bass. He was experiencing jet lag and playing on a borrowed bass, but one would never know if from watching this video! The bass in this video was provided by sonksenstrings.com. This trip was coordinated by Lyric Opera of Chicago and Northeastern Illinois bass professor Greg Sarchet in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the first bass recital in Chicago. Check out Greg at Bass Club Chicago, and stay tuned for more great episodes featuring Miloslav Gajdos!

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Check out this excellent video from the extraordinary double bassist Ranaan Meyer. Ranaan is a member of the trio Time for Three, and he was featured on Contrabass Conversations episode 28. Enjoy!

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We hope that you enjoy this special video episode from double bass virtuoso Guy Tuneh! Check out CBC 30 for a complete interview with Guy, and visit him online at www.guytuneh.com. Guy is playing ‘Suita Piccola’ (written in 1976) by Nieminen Kai in this video.

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