Very little is known about the two sonatas which appear here in their original keys. They were placed in the library of the Music School in Oxford at the end of the seventeenth century in a form convenient for playing (i.e. unbound). The library was catalogued by Hake between 1850 and 1855 and the sonatas were eventually bound in 1855 with other instrumental and vocal manuscripts of the same period some of which are dated 1698.The sonatas are both inscribed on the title page Sonata à Violone Solo. Col Basso per l'Organo o Cembalo. A third sonata bears the words Sonata à Violino e Violoncino … di Giovannino del Violone. Giovannino(=Little or Young John) must have been a performer and although the third sonata has been copied by a different hand it is conceivable that Giovannino is a connecting link between the three. He cannot however be assumed to be their author.The Violone was a six-stringed instrument with frets and there is evidence to suggest that the Contrabasso of the same period was similar but probably a little larger; the Violoncino (=Little Violone or Violoncello) must have been smaller. The word 'Violone' was also used as a collective term embracing all members of the Viol family which means that the sonatas might well have been written for a tenor or a bass Viol and not necessarily a Violone as such. Indeed when they are played on a Violone or Double Bass the continuo bass line must be played at a lower pitch than the solo instrument to prevent inversion of the intended harmony. (The use of a Violone/Double Bass continuo or 16' organ tone would overcome this problem.)The editor has added no ornaments or embellishments to the solo part as it appears in the original manuscript. It is open to debate whether a Violone player owing to the very nature of his instrument would have used any but the simplest melodic decorations. Nevertheless the performer should acquaint himself thoroughly with those seventeenth century traditions that

Par SCHWEITZER BENJAMIN. The chiaroscuro-technique developed by painters of the Italian renaissance served to intensify contrasts and effects of optical depth. In Klar/Obskur, I tried to transfer the general idea of this technique on the rather unusual instrumentation of two double-reed woodwinds and piano. On the one hand, a clear, well articulated playing is characteristic for these instruments, on the other hand, they have an often underestimated potential of „twilight“: air-sounds and fragile, shady colours have a especially attractive when being produced by double-reed instruments (which are often, and superficially regarded as being less capable of differentiated sounds than flute or clarinet). The piano, too, has a broad bandwidth of possibilities between percussive and delicate playing to complement the woodwinds which, in return, can absorb and continue the fading piano sounds. The beginning introduces the two contrasting elements that form the basic material for the piece: a clear, sharp chord, followed by fragile, dim sounds. The changes between these elements as well as their combination and amalgamation produce an enormous spectrum of colours and gesture. After this „motto-like“ opening follow four quite clearly separated short sections, each of them being characterised by a well-defined texture: a partly almost imperceptible air-sound passage, a short sequence of microintervallic notes, a burst of virtuosity and a recourse to the fragile sounds of the beginning. The second, longer main part consists of three sections merging subtly into each other: a short unisono-passage, marked elastic [federnd], is being dissolved into its basic elements; from these remainders, a confrontation of low, ‚arcane‘ bassoon and piano sounds and a strongly ornamented melodic line of the oboe emerges, leading to a short but powerful climax. The piece is concluded by an extended, relaxed epilogue, containing a short piano solo and a duet of oboe and bassoon and, finally, a quotation of the „elastic“ character of the middle section. Benjamin Schweitzer / Date parution : 2007-11-20/ Répertoire / Hautbois, Basson et Piano

18 Lektionen / 18 Lessons-The long awaited Sassmannshaus method Early Start on the Double Bass is now here. At last students of the largest instrument in the string family can make use of this tried and tested method for beginners developed by Egon Sassmannshaus for the other string instruments and applied here to the double bass by Holger Sassmannshaus and J. Peter Close. This method will meet the needs of the growing number of young bass students. “Early Start on the Double Bass” encompasses everything that one would expect from a Sassmannshaus method: an easy start progression at a suitable rate many cross-references to the other string instruments songsand scales in different positions from early on as well as many duets. Lively and colourful illustrations by Charlotte Panowsky complete the edition. For more than three decades “The Sassmannshaus Tradition” has been the household name for excellence in beginner string methods in German-speaking countries. The English editions for violin viola and violoncello which were introduced to the international market in 2008 have proven to be very successful particularly in the United States. Kids to the Bass!While children learning other string instruments can start as early as the age of four the appropriate age to begin the double bass is approximately eight (possibly even six); this allows for a faster progression than on the other string instruments and the method consists of only three volumes. The first volume will be published separately in an English and a German edition; the following two volumes will have German and English text in each book. Original compositions by Boguslaw Furtok enrich the volumes. Based on the tried-and-tested Sassmannshaus methods for violin viola and cello Volume 1: Separate editions in German and English Volumes 2 and 3: Bilingual German/English editions Moderate increase in difficulty Position playing duets Includes new original compositions by B. Furtok Volume 3 with piano accompaniments to 7 pieces The authorsHolger Sassmannshaus is a double bass player with the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker in

Abracadabra Double Bass is a progressively graded tutor which takes the beginner from the earliest stages to Grade 1. Comprehensive course in 20 learning steps 90 popular songs and tunes from Disney themes to classical and traditional favourites Duet accompaniments trios and rounds throughout Can be used alongside the companion tutors for stings A companion Play-along CD is included allowing you to play with full backing. Just as in the first edition familiar tunes and brand new pieces combine to make aninviting collection of music children will want to play. As well as the variety and fun they provide the pieces follow a detailed and careful progression plan designed to build a secure technique.

With this cornerstone of the Double Bass repertoire we continue a still young but important part of our catalogue. This musically-charming work full of technical trickery is with justification demanded time and again as atest piece or set piece for competitions. In order to accommodate the ?Viennese tuning? used at the time we also provide a solo part in fret notation. The Piano part in D major and E major (!) can be used to accompany the DoubleBass part either in its solo or orchestral version. As an alternative to the familiar cadenzas by Sperger editor Tobias Glöckler has added two further tuneful and stylistically-appropriate cadenzas of his own.

A Tear-A beautiful and poignant lament which is ideally suited to the double bass. Originally for cello this new edition returns to the cello version [Theme & Variations] adding an extended (but optional) piano introduction and demonstrates the dark and soulful colours of the solo double bass. Long flowing phrases allow the intermediate bassist to demonstrate both musical and technical accomplishment in an accessible range of the instrument. The soulful and wistful melody transcribes beautifully for double bass allowing the instrument to display its bel canto and lyrical capabilities. A three bar section towards the end of the piece is playable as written or anocatve higher giving bassists the opportunity to play high harmonics within a beautiful and evocative melody. This is an ideal study or recital work with its supportive and pulsing accompaniment and has been one of Recital Music's bestsellers since it was published. Une Larme is also available for solo double bass and string orchestra accompaniment - please contact the publishers for further details. Grade 7 - Trinity-Guildhall / ABRSM / LCM / MTB Exams (www.mtbexams.com) 

Par WILSON MARK. Stringtastic Book 2: Double Bass teaches through playing in an engaging exploration of musical styles. Part of the fully integrated Stringtastic series in which violin, viola, cello and double bass can all learn and play together in any combination. Learn as you play through the world of Stringtastic, with 62 imaginative pieces that have been specifically designed to establish a secure playing technique and build confidence one step at a time. Following on from Stringtastic Book 1, this book takes the student from Grade 1 (Early Elementary) to Grade 2 (Elementary) level. Featuring equal-level duets for all instruments, the pieces are ideal for individual and group tuition as well as flexible ensemble and classroom settings. Every piece is supported by an exciting backing track plus a piano-only track for practice, all available to download. The Stringtastic Book 2: Teacher’s Accompaniment book provides the complete piano score which works with any combination of the instrumental parts. / Date parution : 2023-10-31/ Recueil / Contrebasse

Par WILSON MARK / WOOD PAUL. StringTastic Beginners is the first in a fun new series designed to teach through playing, for violin, viola, cello and double bass, fully integrated so that all instruments can play and learn together. Each book contains over 40 imaginative pieces to steadily establish a secure playing technique and build confidence, from complete beginner to Initial Grade level. As well as being a fully integrated series, the first 20 tunes are presented as duets to accommodate multiple stages of progress, ideal for individual tuition as well as group and classroom settings. Every piece is supported by an exciting backing track to transport you into its unique sound world, in addition to piano-only audio for practice. Plus, the teacher?s book provides the complete piano accompaniments which work with any combination of instrumental parts. / Date parution : 2021-12-09/ Recueil / Contrebasse

o.Op. 82 TrV 133- We are grateful to the University of Edinburgh Library Centre for Research Collections for providing us with access to a manuscript of this work. At shelf-mark Mus.M.645 is a set of parts in the hand of an unknown copyist annotated by John Parr (the bassoonist of Sheffield) who also wrote a full score and second copies of the bassoon and bass parts. The score is dated 1930 and the bassoon part 1934. It is here entitled merely 'duet for flute and bassoon with orchestra' and ascribed to R. Strauss.   We are also grateful for advice from Dr Christian Wolf of the Richard-Strauss-Institut in Munich whohave access to a copy of  'der Zweikampf' made by Cl. Schubert but the Richard-Strauss-Archiv in Garmisch-Partenkirchen will not permit them to make a complete copy for us but has permitted sample pages to be copied confirming the identity of the music. They also affirm the considerable doubt as to Richard Strauss being the composer however no other composer has been suggested in his stead.  In the Strauss bibliography a date of composition of 1884 is given when he was twenty years old.   We would also like to acknowledge with thanks the help of Drs Jenny Nex and Lance Whitehead of Edinburgh in deciphering the manuscript and advising on the piano reduction.   In editing the work we have corrected a few evident errors and made the dynamics consistent. There was no given tempo indication in some of the parts but Parr added 'allegro moderato' which is also the tempo indication in the Munich manuscript.  He also suggested the bass pizzicato in most of the polacca but perhaps this was intended only for the double bass should one be present. There are some discrepancies between the Edinburgh score and parts which we have resolved somewhat arbitrarily on musical grounds.  The differences between the Munich and Edinburgh versions are mostly small as far as we can discern; the

If you can play just a few notes on the double bass then you're ready for this book. These twenty-two imaginative little pieces for the absolute beginner include traditional tunes classics and specially composed melodies all with attractive piano accompaniments.The pieces are arranged progressively so you can hear the step-by-step improvement in your playing as well as simply enjoying the music.

The long awaited Sassmannshaus method ?Early Start on the Double Bass? is now here. At last students of the largest instrument in the string family can make use of this tried and tested method for beginners, developed by Egon Sassmannshaus for the other string instruments and applied here to the double bass by Holger Sassmannshaus and J. Peter Close. This method will meet the needs of the growing number of young bass students.?Early Start on the Double Bass? encompasses everything that one would expect from a Sassmannshaus method: an easy start, progression at a suitable rate, many cross-references to the other string instruments, songs and scales in different positions from early on, as well as many duets. Lively and colourful illustrations by Charlotte Panowsky complete the edition.For more than three decades ?The Sassmannshaus Tradition? has been the household name for excellence in beginner string methods in German-speaking countries. The English editions for violin, viola and violoncello, which were introduced to the international market in 2008, have proven to be very successful, particularly in the United States.Kids to the Bass!While children learning other string instruments can start as early as the age of four, the appropriate age to begin the double bass is approximately eight (possibly even six); this allows for a faster progression than on the other string instruments, and the method consists of only three volumes. The first volume will be published separately in an English and a German edition; the following two volumes will have German and English text in each book. Original compositions by Boguslaw Furtok enrich the volumes.- Based on the tried-and-tested Sassmannshaus methods for violin, viola and cello- Volume 1: Separate editions in German and English- Volumes 2 and 3: Bilingual, German/English editions- Moderate increase in difficulty- Position playing, duets- Includes new original compositions to B. Furtok- Volume 3 with piano accompaniments to 7 piecesThe authorsHolger Sassmannshaus is a double bass player with the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker in Mönchengladbach/Krefeld. He also teaches the double bass and performs with several other ensembles.J. Peter Close is a teacher for violoncello and double bass in Munich.