Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divided a busy career between composing, teaching, and performing.
A prolific composer and arranger, Tony’s original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright’s Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem, and many works for string orchestra.
Tony’s music for young bassists is very much at the heart of the teaching repertoire, particularly his jazzy and enjoyable bass trios and quartets, and he had the rare ability to create wonderful music which is always player and audience-friendly.
In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass and was a featured composer at Bass-Fest for over ten years.
He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3, was a judge for the British Composer Awards and a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition from 1999 until 2015.
Tony Osborne died on 30 March 2019 at the age of 71.
Two's Company brings together a fun, exciting and inventive collection of twelve double bass duets, eight composed in April 2013 and four written previously.
Ranging from…
Two’s Company brings together a fun, exciting and inventive collection of twelve double bass duets, eight composed in April 2013 and four written previously.
Ranging from Grade 1 (1st position) to post Grade 8, these are ideal for students to play, or a student and teacher, and the range of musical styles and idioms should offer something to suit most tastes. Each duet combines musical and technical skills in equal measure, could also be useful for ensemble or sight-reading use as well are recital, Repertoire, and are typical of Tony Osborne’s lively, jazzy, rhythmic and accessible compositional style.
The later duets are longer and more technically challenging, with some passages in thumb position, and are aimed at the progressing intermediate bassist or college student.
