Review: Postcards from Oslo by Dan Styffe

I’ve been a big fan of Dan Styffe for years. In addition to serving as co-principal bass of the Oslo Philharmonic, Dan is a tremendous champion of new music for the double bass. He has commissioned pieces from composers like Rolf Martinsson, Fredrik Högberg, Teppo Hauta-Aho, and Bernard Salles.

I’ve also had the opportunity to chat with Dan about his career in great depth on my Contrabass Conversations podcast. He’s a fascinating artist that has had a wide-ranging career.

About Postcards from Oslo

Dan has also recorded an astonishing 9 solo albums over the past 12 years. Hs latest album, Postcards from Oslo: Music for Double Bass, includes works that were dedicated to Dan or were composed or transcribed from him.

Some of the bass world’s favorite composers grace the tracks of this new album:

• Simón García – Reflections
• Simón García – Polar Lights
• John Alexander – The Intelligent Hand
• Teppo Hauta-aho – Dan ?s Ballade
• Sadie Harrison
  • Hällristningsområdet 1 Den sörjande kvinnan (The Grieving Woman)
  • Hällristningsområdet 2 Tjugonio bollar: identifiera juggler tid (29 Balls: identifying the juggler of time)
  • Hällristningsområdet 3 Askande rullande solen (Lovers rolling the sun)
  • Hällristningsområdet 4 Diskursiva relationer mellan skepp och fotsulor: (Discursive relationship between ships and footsoles)
• Terje Viken – 5 Pieces
• Steve Plews – Coltrane
• Bernard Salles – Sonata for Solo Bass
• Marcus Paus – Sonatina for Solo Bass
• Marin Marais – Les Voix Humaines (Pièces de Viole)

Here’s a sampling of some of the tracks from this latest album:

What I love about Dan’s bass playing

I think of two qualities immediately when I think of Dan’s bass playing: lyricism and richness of tone. This latest album has those two characteristics in spades. Recorded at the Norwegian Academy of Music, this album is beautifully recorded and is a wonderful representation of this great artist’s bass playing!

Where to get the album

Pick up Postcards from Oslo on Amazon, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen to music!