Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog

You are browsing the archives of Northwestern.

We’ve got some really exciting news for bassists out there–double bassist (and Contrabass Conversations guest) Phillip Serna has secured the rights to release the Eduard Tubin Concerto on the Contrabass Conversations podcast, and we’ll be soon featuring a video performance of this fantastic concerto with Phillip as bass soloist.
Getting permission to have this 20th [...]

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week’s Contrabass Conversations episode features the conclusion of our interview with double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Click here to listen to Michael’s previous episodes (CBC 24 and 29). Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music [...]

I have been remiss in reporting interesting news items and other people’s blog posts as of late. I have a whole list of them tagged for blogging (which you can always check out by visiting my link blog), but I’ve been so busy with the stories, articles, audio, and video projects that I’ve kind of [...]

One of my colleagues recently won positions in three regional orchestras. This very talented individual began his college career as a biochemistry major, later switching his major to double bass performance. This highly intelligent and talented scientific mind then focused his energies on becoming the best double bass player he could possibly be, practicing long [...]

Phillip W. Serna Doctoral Recital from 2002 at Northwestern University
Angel of Dusk, Concerto for Double Bass (1980/1993) by Einojuhani Rautavaara (b.1928)For Double Bass, Two Pianos and Percussion
His First AppearanceHis MonologueHis Last Appearance
Dr. Phillip W. Serna, Double BassJoseph Francavilla, PianoJ. David Štech, PianoRobert Dillon, Percussion
For more information, visit Dr. Phillip W. Serna at http://www.phillipwserna.com/.
Part I - [...]

I have been a bit concerned by the throwaway usage of the term ‘bass viol’ recently mostly in regards to John Harbison’s Concerto for Bass Viol. I am actually pleased that by the use of the term, double bassists are recognizing the connection between the double bass and the viol (or viola da gamba) family. [...]

Phillip W. Serna Doctoral Recital from 2002 at Northwestern University
Quest (1990, revised 1994) by George Crumb (b.1929)For Guitar, soprano saxophone, harp, double bass, and two percussionists
Refrain II. Dark PathsII. Fugitive SoundsRefrain 2III. Forgotten DirgesIV. Fugitive SoundsRefrain 3V. Nocturnal
Dr. Phillip W. Serna, Double BassJeff Lambert, GuitarJessica Schaeffer, HarpJoshua Aldorisio, PercussionMathew Coley, Percussion and Appalachian Hammered DulcimerLars [...]

Phillip W. Serna Doctoral Recital from 2002
Quintet, Op. 39 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)For Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, and Bass
Tema (Moderato) - Variation I - Variation IIAndante energicoAllegro sostenuto, me con brioAdagio pesanteAllegro precipitato, ma non troppo prestoAndantino
Season Summers, OboeSam Kaestner, ClarinetHaijin Choi, ViolinHeather Neaveill, ViolaDr. Phillip W. Serna, Double Bass
For more information, visit Dr. Phillip [...]

Double bassist Tyler Bakken sent me a link to this story about the Houston Symphony’s newest PR idea–trading cards! Kurt Johnson, the violinist mentioned in the following quote, is an old acquaintance of mine. We both attended Northwestern University and played in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago masters degree fellowship program in the [...]

As I pack my bags and put the finishing touches on the next two week’s podcast episodes, I’d like to take a moment and let people know about several new projects we’re cooking up for the fall here on the blog and for the Contrabass Conversations podcast:Podcast Developments

Double Bass “Lessons” from Andrew Anderson - This [...]