Bottesini’s Reverie is at the heart of the solo repertoire today but was probably only arranged for the double bass in the 1950s. Originally a song for voice and piano (Quando cadran le foglie), composed in Naples on 6 March 1879 and then published in Nice in a version for cello or violin and piano, it was probably never played by Bottesini and is described by Chris West as “one of his most inspired melodies”.
This new advanced edition, arranged to celebrate the bicentenary of Bottesini’s birth in 2021, is based on the violin/cello version and is a 4th higher than other published editions.
Reverie is lyrical and evocative, essentially a ‘song without words’ and is ideal for the advanced bassist who is confident throughout the solo register of the double bass.
The music is passionate and dramatic, tender and poignant, and is a wonderful introduction into Bottesini’s world of lyrical and melodic solos.
This edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings.
An intermediate edition edited by David Heyes and based on the original cello edition, is also available.