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!
Chris Clark
Hi Jason and Michael,
Jason, not to embarrass you, but I think that the year you started at NU might be 1994, because I started my M.M. in Jeff Bradetich’s first studio at North Texas that year!
My question for Michael is, When will the Discordia site come back, or do I have the right page? I’d like to order up the Arpeggione from you, but I’ll look at Lemur first as you advise. Thanks!
Chris Clark, Lawrenceville, NJ (cell is 609-540-3472)