Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

CBC 25: Rob Kassinger interview

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with and music from Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger. Rob’s musical interests span many genres and include both the electric bass and the double bass. You will learn about Rob’s early years on the bass and how working in jazz and rock settings led to an interest in orchestral double bass playing in this fascinating interview.

This episode also features Rob playing the first movement of the Breval Sonata in a live performance, and it includes a track from NYCO, a rock band that Rob was a member of for several years. You will be hearing People We Knew from their recent album ‘Two’.

CBC 24: Michael Hovnanian interview

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with
double bassist Michael Hovnanian. 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 Brahms Sonata in E minor on this episode. It is a great
edition of a great piece, and Michael plays it beautifully. Enjoy!

CBC 23: Lawrence Hurst interview part 2

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features a continuation of our interview with Indiana University double bass professor Lawrence Hurst plus some music from plus some music from the Italian bass ensemble The Bass Gang. You can check out episode 20 of the podcast for the first part of this interview with Mr. Hurst, and detailed information for both guests is available in the show notes below. Enjoy!