CBC 124: ISB 2009 Impressions
We’re featuring some brief interviews I did with people on the floor of the 2009 International Society of Bassists Convention at Penn State in June. Feel free to check out my ISB 2009 Retrospective blog post for even more information on what was happening at this year’s convention, and stay tuned for an avalanche of content from this event over the next couple of months!
During this episode, I chat with Bill Wasson, Ian Saunders, Robert Meyer, and several University of Michigan students, as well as featuring some listener feedback and news.
I’m featured this week in Time Out Chicago
My blog is featured this week in a Time Out Chicago feature! Written by Opera and Classical contributing writer Doyle Armbrust, it highlights some of the more popular posts I’ve put out over the years (which you can always access from the Stories link in the menu bar), and is a great summery of why I got into blogging and what it has (inadvertently for the most part) done for me.
Check out the full article here (warning–I use a little “rough” language talking about the music business in the interview, so it’s not 100% work safe).
Scenes from an Opera – Recitative and Aria
Boston Symphony Assistant Principal Bass Lawrence Wolfe (also a former Contrabass Conversations guest) is also an active composer. This performance (with Lawrence Wolfe performing) was recorded live at the James Library and Center for the Arts on June 15, 2009. ‘Scenes from an Opera’ was composed for Corbin Johnston, associate principal bass of the Utah Symphony Orchestra and premiered by him at the Senandoah Valley Bach Festival. You can also find this recording on Vimeo (higher quality video) at http://www.vimeo.com/5274648.
Jeff Bradetich plays Bottesini Elegy on Solano Bass
Here’s another video of Jeff Bradetich playing on a Rumano Solano bass (a copy of Jeff’s 1767 Italian bass), this time performing the Bottesini Elegy. Check out Jeff on Contrabass Conversations if you haven’t previously!
About the bass, Jeff says:
“The Rumano Solano copy of my 1767 Italian double bass is remarkable in many ways. The sound quality has innate characteristics very similar to my bass with a full, deep, rich and clear sound. It also has a projection and clarity of sound that is stunning. It fills a 1,000 seat auditorium as well as any instrument I have ever heard or played. The instrument also has an ease of playing that makes even the most difficult passages accessible.”
~ Jeff Bradetich
Classic Post: Rufus Reid interview
Our interview with jazz bass legend Rufus Reid, conducted by Win Hinkle, has proven to be one of our most popular episodes of Contrabass Conversations (along with our Steve Rodby interview, which was guest hosted by Kells Nollenberger–the popularity of these interviews shows that maybe I should stay off the mic!).
Interview Link (redirects to CBC site)
About Rufus Reid:
Born on February 10, 1944 in Atlanta, GA., Rufus Reid was raised in Sacramento, California where he played the trumpet through junior high and high school. Upon graduation from Sacramento High School, he entered the United States Air Force as a trumpet player. During that period he began to be seriously interested in the bass. After fulfilling his duties in the military, Rufus had decided he wanted to pursue a career as a professional bassist. He moved to Seattle, Washington, where he began serious study with James Harnett of the Seattle Symphony. He continued his education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he studied with Warren Benfield and principal bassist, Joseph Guastefeste, both of the Chicago Symphony. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Music Degree as a Performance Major on the Double Bass.
The MidAtlantic Arts Foundation awarded Rufus The 2005 Mellon Jazz Living Legacy Award for his dedication to America’s National Cultural Treasure: Jazz, for his personal and professional commitment to Jazz Education in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The International Society of Bassists presented Rufus with their highest honor, The Distinguished Achievement Award, in 2001. The New Jersey Chapter of the IAJE named him OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR of 1999. The International Association of Jazz Educators awarded Rufus the Humanitarian Award in 1997 BASS PLAYER magazine, awarded Rufus the 1998 Jazz Educator Achievement Award.
Scenes from an Opera – Overture
Boston Symphony Assistant Principal Bass Lawrence Wolfe (also a former Contrabass Conversations guest) is also an active composer. This performance (with Lawrence Wolfe performing) was recorded live at the James Library and Center for the Arts on June 15, 2009. ‘Scenes from an Opera’ was composed for Corbin Johnston, associate principal bass of the Utah Symphony Orchestra and premiered by him at the Senandoah Valley Bach Festival. You can also find this recording on Vimeo (higher quality video) at http://www.vimeo.com/5274648.
Jeff Bradetich plays a Solano bass
I love how every brief moment in the social web age is subject to capture and broadcast! I’ve seen Jeff Bradetich (Contrabass Conversations guest) noodle around on basses countless times in the past, but since every device seems to be equipped with a camera these days, moments like this that would have passed into obscurity are now captured for posterity.
I know a lot of bassists with Solano basses. They are reasonably priced and many of them play very well. Rumano works off of a lot of different templates for his basses, so his basses can be extremely large, quite small, or anything in between.
Also check out Jeff playing on a Solano copy of his own 1767 Italian bass.
[From YouTube - Solano Bass]
Charles Mingus and toilet-training cats
Bass blog contributor Benjy emailed me recently with a link to this short article from jazz bass giant Charles Mingus on how to toilet train (not litter box train–toilet train!) your cat. This is a must-read even if you don’t have a cat. I love how the Mingus personality comes through even in this short how-to!
Virtual Master Class: Song IV by Phillip Glass
Our latest Virtual Master Class submission (more details on this project here) is from bassist Steve Badach performing Song IV (originally for cello) by Phillip Glass. Click here to listen to and comment on other tracks from the past several year.
The purpose of the Virtual Master Class is to get feedback from other musicians on our playing, so please leave a comment for this bassist after listening to the track above. The idea, however, if to leave constructive or helpful feedback, so anyone leaving a comment like “OUT OF TUNE!!!!” or the like won’t get their comment approved.
CBC 123: Klauss Stoll interview
This week, we’re featuring an interview with Klauss Stoll, the recently retired Principal Bass of the Berlin Philharmonic. He has taught for many years in Berlin, Salzburg, and in master classes worldwide, and is regarded as one of the finest teachers of the double bass alive today.
This interview was conducted by Jonathan Stefaniak, a former member of the Civic Orchestra who is now playing in an orchestra in Japan. Jonathan was recently working with Professor Stoll in a master class setting and had the opportunity to sit down and chat with him for the podcast.
In this interview, Jonathan and Klaus discuss Klaus’ early years on the instrument, his time spent in the Berlin Philharmonic, auditioning for co-principal and eventually first principal chair, his chamber duo, orchestral style, developments in eduction and the decline of the despotic maestro, the unique characteristics of the Berlin Philharmonic, and specifics about his teaching.
Learn more about Klaus at his website: klausstoll.com
Klaus also has a DVD for sale.
About Klaus Stoll:
Klaus Stoll, born in May 1943 in Rheydt / Germany, first played the violin, but at the age of twelve started playing the double bass which he was taught by his father Karl Stoll . During studies with Heinz Detering in Cologne he became a member of the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker in 1959. Six years later he joined the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, became co – principal bassist in 1967 and finally, in 1992 he became first soloist of this world famous orchestra.
In addition to his frequent appearances as soloist he has a long and worldwide career as chamber musician. Stoll premiered more than sixty new works for double bass solo and appeared at many renowned festivals (in Salzburg, Lucerne, Aldeburgh, Helsinki, Echternach, Santander, Rheingau, Tokyo, etc.). Klaus Stoll works with the Berlin Philharmonic Ensemble ” Berliner Barocksolisten ” and periodically together with great musicians like Heinz Holliger, Maurice Bourgue, Emanuel Pahud, Andras Schiff, Bruno Canino, Rainer Kussmaul, Christiane Jaccotet, Thomas Zehetmair, and Nicolaus Harnoncourt.
He has taught at the “Hochschule der Kuenste” ( HdK / UdK ) in Berlin from 1980 to 2000, as professor at the Hochschule Mozarteum in Salzburg from 1991 to 1998 and since 1992 he exclusively teaches at the ” Academy of Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He regulary held courses and masterclasses in Italy ( Milano , Ferrara , Fiesole ) , in Japan ( PMF) , for ten years between 1988 and 2004 at the Carl – Flesch – Academy in Baden – Baden , from 1991 to 1997 the summer academies in Salzburg and since 2003 he teaches at the Instrumenta in Puebla and Oaxaca / Mexico . Klaus Stoll is appointed professor h.c. of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music since 2005 and has taught in 18 countries of Europe , Asia and North and South America.
Since 2002 Klaus Stoll and his wife Ofelia hold courses and classes together in both main techniques, the French and the German Bow and in their languages German, English and Spanish for professional and junior bassists.
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Recent Podcasts- CBC 124: ISB 2009 Impressions
- CBC 123: Klauss Stoll interview
- Guy Tuneh performs at 2009 Bodenseefestival
- CBC 122: Music School Choices
- CBC 121: Ben Jensen performance
- CBC 120: Ed Barker interview
- CBC 119: David Cardon and the Unfortunate Incident
- CBC 118: Jon Burr interview
- CBC 117: Mark Morton interview 2
- Audio from my appearance at Chicago Music Commission panel
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