Double Bass Quartet

Dominik Wagner
Felix Leissner
Todor Markovic
José Trio

Rarely does the double bass take on such a central role as in this program. While the instrument’s usual role is to provide a sonic foundation for solo instruments, this program showcases the double bass itself as a marvel of sound. The arrangements of the pieces are tailored to this imposing instrument, allowing the double bass’s sonorous tone to unfold in an astonishing way.

“It should come as no surprise that a warm, deep fundamental tone dominates here, but it is surprising just how well, for example, the arrangement of the Largo movement from Dvořák’s Ninth works. The bassists form a cohesive ensemble, just as they do in Freddie Mercury’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ The experimental nature of the album stems from the program and the instrumentation; the ensemble pieces, in particular, turn out to be wonderfully resonant, sonorous sonic journeys.”

 (published in concerti am 11/28/2023 by Christoph Vratz on the album Double Bass Rhapsody)

Program

Bruckner
Locus Iste
Christus factus est

D. Glanert
4 Quartets for 4 Double Basses

Piazzolla
Tango Basso (arr. A. Wiebecke-Gottstein)
J'attends, La Misma Pena, Saint Louis en L'Ile, Guardia Nueva, Adios Nonino

Beethoven
From Symphony No. 7, 2. Movement Allegretto (arr. Dominik Wagner)

Schubert
Erlkönig (arr. Dominik Wagner)

Dvorak
From Symphony No. 9, 2. Movement Largo (arr. Dominik Wagner)

Freddie Mercury
Bohemian Rhapsody (arr. Dominik Wagner)

Johan Strindberg/Europe
The Final Countdown