Konzertstück (Concert Piece) was premiered at a Loh Concert (Sondershausen, Germany) on 17 September 1854 and is originally for double bass and orchestra. Written in…
Konzertstück (Concert Piece) was premiered at a Loh Concert (Sondershausen, Germany) on 17 September 1854 and is originally for double bass and orchestra. Written in a theme and variation format, this is a lively and technical workout for the double bassist, primarily across the middle range of the instrument, with many opportunities to display both a musical and technical prowess.
Composed in a romantic style, the opening introduction is dramatic and imposing before a cadenza and extended recitative section for the bassist leads into a lyrical theme followed by three substantial variations and a powerful coda.
The music is well written for the double bass, brimming with scale and arpeggio figurations, alongside moments or a more lyrical and cantabile nature. It was a particular favourite of Serge Koussevitsky, during his early years as a double bass virtuoso, including performances in Russia, Leipzig, Vienna, Paris and Berlin.
Konzertstück was be an ideal showpiece for the intermediate bassist and this new edition includes versions for both solo and orchestral tunings.
