Contrabass Conversations

Contrabass Conversations

double bass podcast

CBC 41: Orchestral Excerpts Breakdown with John Grillo

Orchestral Excerpt Breakdown

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features an in-depth analysis of the double bass orchestral excerpts most commonly requested at auditions. Double bassist (and regular Contrabass Conversations guest and co-host) John Grillo discusses each of these excerpts–stylistic considerations, differences in articulation and bow strokes, and suggestions for effectively learning them–and then performs them. I believe that this project will be a highly valuable resource for bassists worldwide, and I’d love your feedback on this project!

 

Excerpts covered (click below to hear individual tracks):

Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Brahms Symphony No. 1 and 2
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
Mozart Symphony No. 35 and 39
Mahler Symphony No. 2
Schubert Symphony No. 9
Strauss Ein Heldenleben
Britten Young Person’s Guide
Verdi Otello

CBC 40: Donovan Stokes interview and music

This week’s podcast features an interview with double bass performer, composer, and teacher Donovan Stokes. We featured music from Donovan on episode 13 of the podcast, and it’s a pleasure to feature this great musician again. Gadaha, the album that we feature this week, was recorded with no overdubs whatsoever, which is amazing considering the intricacy of much of this music.

You can learn more about Donovan at www.donovanstokes.com. Enjoy!

CBC 39: Scott Rosenthal interview and music from Stefano Sciascia

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with Chicago-based double bassist and electric bassist Scott Rosenthal. Scott is one of the major players for the Chicago theater scene, having performed in a huge number of productions such as The Producers, Ragtime, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Showboat, Spamalot, Light in the Piazza, Mary Poppins, as well as performing regularly as a member of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. We also feature Italian bassist Stefano Sciascia performing Adagio Melanconico e Appassionato by Bottesini. Enjoy!

CBC 38: Eric Hochberg interview part 2

This Contrabass Conversations special episode features the second part of our interview with Chicago-based jazz bassist Eric Hochberg. Eric first appeared on episode 21 of the podcast, and listeners should really enjoy hearing the conclusion to this interview. Following the interview is a track featuring Eric titled Mr. Bar Locrian. Learn more about Eric and his various musical endeavors at www.erichochberg.com. Enjoy!