The Age of Double Bass is Here

[Lord Larehip]

Not since the time of the first Viennese School has the double bass enjoyed such a profound period of growth. During that part of the late 18th century, every great composer wrote solos and concertos for the bass, including Haydn, Mozart, Dittersdorf and Hoffmeister, as well as many lesser-known composers. An unprecedented amount of chamber music including the double bass also appeared.

This heyday of bass popularity soon came to an end – and from 1824 to 1949 no major composer wrote a solo work for the double bass. Not until Hindemith wrote his Double Bass Sonata in 1949 did composers begin to turn their attention back to the instrument. With the advent of Gary Karr’s international career and the popularity of European bassists Ludwig Streicher and Franco Petracchi, this interest began to snowball.

But a movement cannot gain momentum with just a few people.<snip>

Now is the time for the double bass to shine | Latest | The Strad