Chicago Symphony

971: Dan Carson on his path to the Chicago Symphony bass section

Daniel Carson is the most recent addition to the Chicago Symphony bass section. Dan and I chatted in 2018 about his journey thus far, and today we dig into his audition process, lessons learned during his studies with David Allen Moore, and much more. Enjoy!

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Carnegie Mellon University Double Bass Studio – CMU is dedicated to helping each student achieve their goals as a musician. Every week each student receives private lessons and participates in a solo class with Micah Howard. Peter Guild, another member of the PSO, teaches Orchestral Literature and Repertoire weekly. They encourage students to reach out to the great bassists in their area for lessons and direction. Many of the bassists from all of the city’s ensembles are more than willing to lend a hand. Every year members of the Symphony, the Opera and the Ballet give classes and offer our students individual attention. Click here to visit Micah’s website and to sign up for a free online trial lesson.

theme music by Eric Hochberg

161: Alex Hanna Interview

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Bass Alex Hanna

We are thrilled to bring you this interview with Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Bass Alex Hanna. In addition to his responsibilities leading the bass section of the CSO, Alex teaches double bass at DePaul University and is active as a clinician, soloist, and chamber musician.

About Alex:

Inspired by the sound of the symphony orchestra, Alexander Hanna at age 13 decided to pursue a career as a bassist. Throughout his youth, after beginning music studies on the piano at age 4, he performed as a recitalist on both piano and bass and also as a soloist with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra on both instruments. In 2004, he was invited to study at the Curtis Institute of Music with Hal Robinson and Edgar Meyer.

In 2012, Riccardo Muti appointed Hanna as principal bass of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He had served four years as principal bass of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Alex will be performing the Vanhal Concerto with the Chicago Symphony December 17-19, 2015. We feature excerpts from Alex performing this concerto with the Bellingham Festival Orchestra, Michael Palmer conducting. Enjoy!

CBC 48: Brad Opland interview 2 and Tyler Abbott music

This week’s Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with double bassist Brad Opland. Last time we heard from Brad (on episode 37), we talked about his experiences in the Minnesota Orchestra and Chicago Symphony, plus some of the most memorable highlights from Brad’s performing career. This episode we discuss Brad’s experiences performing with the Berlin Philharmonic plus performing with the Chicago Chamber Musicians and some general advice for bassists.

We also hear from University of Oregon double bass instructor Tyler Abbott and the Toby Koenigsberg Trio.

Enjoy!

CBC 44: Rob Kassinger interview 2 and music from Djordje Stijepovic

This week’s Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger. Last time we heard from Rob (on episode 25), we talked about his early years on the bass, growing up in Colorado, playing jazz and electric bass, studying the instrument, and studying with Homer Mensch in New York City.

This episode, we talk about Rob’s time in the New Orleans Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and then moving into the Chicago Symphony.

Rob talks about the materials he works on with students, like etudes and Simandl, plus what gear Rob uses and how his band NYCO developed.

We’ll also be hearing three tracks from Bay Area bassist Djordje Stijepovic. Enjoy!

CBC 43: Michael Hovnanian interview part 3 and music from Mark Sonksen

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features the conclusion of our interview with double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Click here to listen to Michael’s previous episodes (CBC 24 and 29). Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music publisher). Michael also plays for the Gunnelpumpers, Chicago Bass Ensemble, Music of the Baroque, and the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. He authors the popular CSO Bass Blog, and he has served on the faculty for Northwestern University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Michael was also my bass teacher for my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern, and it was really great to get a chance to do this interview. You will also get a chance to hear Michael play the Discordia Music edition of the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on this episode.After our interview with Michael, we’ll be featuring two tunes from Chicago-area jazz bassist Mark Sonksen. Mark is the owner of Sonksen Strings, a double bass repair and retail shop located in Chicago. Enjoy!