Today, we’re featuring a live recording (accessible through the player above) of National Symphony bassist Ira Gold performing the Vanhal Concerto with the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra. Ira has also been an interview guest on the podcast–check out his interview if you haven’t before. Details about this performance are listed below, and this recording is also available through the Contrabass Conversations podcast, so if you subscribe to the podcast (iTunes link) you’ll receive it automatically.

Information about this performance

• Ira Gold, double bass
• Vanhal Bass Concerto in D Major with the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, Sylvia Alimena, conductor.

February 15, 2009

• arranged and published by:

Ludwin Music Publications

3618 Cazador St.

Los Angeles CA 90065

Toll free: 866 2LU-DWIN

(866 258-3946)

norman@ludwinmusic.com

About Ira

Ira Gold joined the National Symphony in 2005. He was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where he began violin studies at age 3. Mr. Gold started double bass lessons at age 12, and later, while a student at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, became serious about pursuing a career in music. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, and his Master of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he won the strings division of the 2005 Concerto Competition. His primary teachers include Edwin Barker and Paul Ellison, and additional studies with Albert Laszlo, Kenneth Harper, Dennis Whittaker, Mark Shapiro, and Harry Lantz.

Mr. Gold has performed with several American orchestras, as section bass with the Minnesota Orchestra and as guest principal bassist with the San Francisco Symphony and Detroit Symphony. He has attended the Domaine Forget Music Academy, Bach Festival Leipzig, Aspen Music Festival, and Tanglewood Music Center, where he was a recipient of the Maurice Schwartz Prize. Mr. Gold spent several summers at the International Festival Institute at Round Top both as a student, and, during the summer of 2004, as a member of the bass faculty. He has given master classes and recitals at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, James Madison University, The Chautauqua Music Festival, and the University of Maryland School of Music.

In addition to his position with the NSO, Mr. Gold is a member of the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, and has performed with the Fessenden Ensemble, National Gallery of Art Orchestra, and the 21st Century Consort.