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.

July 3, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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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

[From YouTube - Jeff Bradetich plays Solano Bass, part 3]

July 3, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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Scenes from an Opera – Overture

July 1, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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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]

July 1, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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Jeff Bradetich’s new book (video)

University of North Texas and Cleveland Institute of Music bass professor Jeff Bradetich (also a former Contrabass Conversations guest) has just released a book titled Double Bass: The Ultimate Challenge . This book represents the culmination of all the concepts and techniques Jeff has explored while working with countless students over the course of his illustrious teaching career.

As you can see from the following video this is also a beautiful book, with each detail given meticulous consideration. It’s nice to see a pedagogical text for the bass that doesn’t look like it was produced in 1885!

Here’s the press release for the book:

Music For All To Hear, Inc. announces the publishing of Jeff Bradetich’s eagerly awaited book on Double Bass Pedagogy and Performance. This highly anticipated text has been received by the Double Bass community with open arms and sold hundreds of copies, strictly by word of mouth, at the 2009 International Society of Bassists convention recently held at Penn State University.

Here is what a few well respected bassists have had to say:

“Students from all over the world and from every level, please, trust him! Take everything as your real basis for a well- founded technique! I personally, and totally, agree with the content.”

Thierry Barbe – Principal Double Bass Opera de Paris National Orchestra

“Jeff Bradetich is a world-class virtuoso performer and passionate teacher who has acquired enormous depth and
experience to author such a masterful text.”

Rufus Reid – The Evolving Bassist

“This is one of the most important books of the last fifty years. It should be in every university and conservatory library,
every teacher of the double bass should read it, and double bassists of every level will find confirmation of their strengths
and lots of answers for their questions.”

Orin O’Brien – New York Philharmonic

For orders, visit the website http://www.musicforalltohear.com/cart, contact Aaron Bradetich at aaronb@musicforalltohear.com, or call 940-367-2360. Music For All To Hear, Inc. is the record label of choice for Jeff Bradetich and also specializes in the publishing of many artists’ CD’s, DVD’s, sheet music, and books.

June 25, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos, education

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Guy Tuneh performs at 2009 Bodenseefestival

This video features double bassist Guy Tuneh (former Contrabass Conversations guest) performing the Kirchensonate in Eb Major by Mozart for the 2009 Bodenseefestival. This recoding features Rainer Kussmaul and Aysen Ulucan (violins), Guy Tuneh (bass), and Christian Hommel (organ). Guy is a marvelous double bassist, captivating in both solo and chamber performances, and it is a pleasure to feature his playing here on the blog!

Video Download Link (14 MB)

June 23, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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ISB 2009 short video

Here are some video clips I shot at the International Society of Bassists 2009 Convention, along with some photos snapped by bassist Matt Heller (and me as well at the end). Matt did some absolutely outstanding coverage of the ISB Convention at a blog he created for the event. I ended up publishing all of my coverage in one massive blog post.

June 22, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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Gary Karr and Hector Tirado play Andante from Concerto for Two Voices by G.F. Handel

Here’s another video featuring Gary and Hector Tirado–Gary gives a very moving speech before the performance begins about Hector:

[From YouTube - Andante from Concerto for Two Voices in g minor, G.F. Handel]

June 16, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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Gary Karr plays Canonic Duo with Hector Tirado

I stumbled upon this cell phone video of Gary Karr (see his Contrabass Conversations videos here) while browsing around YouTube recently. He’s playing with deaf bassist Hector Tirado–check out Hector’s website for recordings as well as information about how he navigates the instrument with his hearing impediment.

Gary is using his James Ham bass in this short video, which is an interesting bass that features an adjustable neck, avoiding the need for bridge adjusters. It also looks to me like Hector is playing the same sort of bass as Gary.

[From YouTube - Canonic Duo by G. P. Telemann]

June 15, 2009 · Filed Under bass, bass videos

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Chunyang Wang plays “Nel Cor Piu Non Mi Sento” Theme and Variations by Bottesini

I’ve always enjoyed this set of variations by Bottesini, played quite admirably here by Chunyang Wang. I always thought about working them up for a recital but ended up ditching them for something or another.