An Album of three Bass Sonatinas
What a wonderful instrument the double bass is! And how interesting to write for. Though it is remarkably quiet for such a large instrument so I had to take this into account when writing for it as a solo instrument.
Sonatina no. 1 begins with a wonderful, pizzicato, walking bass line based on the notes of the sharpest key signature (also used in the Violin Sonata). Over this the piano 'improvises' a jazzy melody. The second movement changes gear and runs off in semi-quavers on bass before settling into a neo-classical section. The third movement is marked 'in contemplation' and echoes plainchant. The finale is a fun Scherzo.
Sonatina no.2 begins with a long, slow, phrase on the bass alone. This theme is then much developed throughout the work. Echoes of Carl Orff appear occasionally and do beware of - going down to the woods today! The work ends with a recapitulation of the opening theme and an unresolved cadence.
Sonatina no.3 is subtitled 'Maidan Snowdrops I'. This is in reference to the Maidan Square in Kiev, Ukraine where such awful violence occurred in 2014, and where many changes in Ukraine's histroy occurred. 'Snowdrops' was the name given to bodies found lying in the woods after the snows have melted in Soviet Russia. (see also Maidan Snowdrops II for ten basses)
Sonatina no. 1 begins with a wonderful, pizzicato, walking bass line based on the notes of the sharpest key signature (also used in the Violin Sonata). Over this the piano 'improvises' a jazzy melody. The second movement changes gear and runs off in semi-quavers on bass before settling into a neo-classical section. The third movement is marked 'in contemplation' and echoes plainchant. The finale is a fun Scherzo.
Sonatina no.2 begins with a long, slow, phrase on the bass alone. This theme is then much developed throughout the work. Echoes of Carl Orff appear occasionally and do beware of - going down to the woods today! The work ends with a recapitulation of the opening theme and an unresolved cadence.
Sonatina no.3 is subtitled 'Maidan Snowdrops I'. This is in reference to the Maidan Square in Kiev, Ukraine where such awful violence occurred in 2014, and where many changes in Ukraine's histroy occurred. 'Snowdrops' was the name given to bodies found lying in the woods after the snows have melted in Soviet Russia. (see also Maidan Snowdrops II for ten basses)