Bass2018 was held in the historic city of Lucca (Italy), bringing together 850 bassists from 50 countries. The convention included many recitals, concerts, lectures, masterclasses and seminars and Teppo Hauta-aho was a Featured Composer.
‘Teppo in Lucca’ included 15 international bassists each performing a work for unaccompanied double bass, many composed and dedicated to that bassist, and four works from ‘VIVA LUCCA!!’ were premiered during the week. Each of the five pieces in ‘VIVA LUCCA!’ is dedicated to a friend and supporter of the composer and was composed especially for Bass2018. They offer musical and technical challenges and explore the entire range of the double bass utilising many playing techniques which are available to the 21st- century composer and bassist.
Viva Lucca I (dedicated to Alberto Bocini) makes extensive use of the harmonic range of the double bass, often double stops, creating an ethereal and evocative sound world which is occasionally grounded by a pizzicato open string. Premiered by Alberto Bocini in the Chiesa si San Romano (Lucca, Italy) on Saturday 4 August 2018.
Viva Lucca II (dedicated to Gabriele Ragghianti) is lyrical and effective, employing arco and pizzicato in equal measure, with much to say and to challenge within its limited time frame. Premiered by Gabriele Ragghianti in the Chiesa di San Romano (Lucca, Italy) on Saturday 4 August 2018.
Viva Lucca III – David’s Story (dedicated to David Heyes) uses the letter’s from David’s name to create the melodic material. An introduction, played almost entirely in harmonics, leads into a lyrical and sonorous section before moving into the higher register, eventually returning and ending with a series of strummed pizzicato chords. Premiered by David Heyes in the Boccherini Auditorium (Lucca, Italy) on Friday 3 August 2018.
Viva Lucca IV – Dan’s Story (dedicated to Dan Styffe) is played pizzicato throughout and explores the lower orchestral register before introducing a more lyrical theme in the solo range. Harmonics are used to add contrast and interest and the piece ends simply with a repetition of part of the opening theme. Premiered by Dan Styffe in the Chiesa di San Romano (Lucca, Italy) on Thursday 2 August 2018.
Viva Lucca V – Dan’s Encore Miniature (dedicated to Dan Styffe) is also played pizzicato throughout with movement and energy interrupted by strummed double stops. It ends with an atmospheric coda played in ringing harmonics, played in the lower register, gradually descending before ending simply with open E.

Cover Photo: Sarah Poole