TWO for THREE features two works which began life in other incarnations. Pastyme is originally for Double Bass Quartet, based on a part-song by King Henry VIII, and Ragtime was partnered with Blues-Style, but now played an octave higher and both pieces are aimed at the intermediate bass trio.

Pastyme with Good Companye is based on the part song by King Henry VIII, the use of open fifths and repetitive rhythms evoke the world of Tudor England, with its raw energy and brash sounds. Effective with massed basses and a firm favourite at many double bass workshops around the world. It was first published in 1997 which celebrated Tony Osborne’s 50th birthday and commemorated the 450th anniversary
of the death of King Henry VIII.

‘Pastyme with Good Companye. The Kynges balade’, originally for 3 voices, one of the most popular tunes of the period, was composed in the early 1500s. Henry was trained in music from an early age and 34 of his original compositions survive, both vocal and instrumental. He ascended the throne in 1509 and was monarch until his death in 1547. This edition for Double Bass Trio was arranged by David Heyes from
Tony Osborne’s bass quartet version.

“This simple but powerful arrangement is successful in recreating the pungent sounds of renaissance instruments such as shawms, sackbuts, and the delightfully obnoxious racket.” (ISB)

Composed in 1981 for his own double bass students, Ragtime has been a very popular bass trio. Originally composed for progressing bassists, this new version in a higher key enables more advanced bassists to play music which is fun, attractive and engaging. This is Tony Osborne at his lively, rhythmic and jazzy best with great tunes and effective part writing which is ideal for bass trio or larger forces.

[See video link at 1’21’00 to hear Tony Osborne’s Ragtime for massed basses, also an octave higher performed by Gary Karr and the bassists at his KarrKamp in August 2015] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGtMqwP9hlk

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.