Comments on: The low-down

The low-down

Wolfdog — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:51:53 -0800

Two 20th century additions to the comparatively small body of concertos for double bass and orchestra: Einojuhani Rautavaara's Angel Of Dusk (II, III), from 1980, and the 1948 concerto of Eduard Tubin (II, III). Those are courtesy of YouTube, but if you're not sated you can hear still more from bassist Phillip Serna, and a great deal more, from the fine Contrabass Conversations podcast.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:05:13 -0800

Rautavaara has become a relatively well-known name, but the Estonian Tubin remains yet not so well-known despite a healthy crop of well regarded works.

By: The White Hat

The White Hat — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:30:44 -0800

Lest we should forget the inimitable Edgar Meyer, virtuosic contrabassist and composer for the instrument as well.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:52:54 -0800

I'm really liking that Tubin concerto a lot—I'll have to investigate him further. Thanks for the post!

By: aliasless

aliasless — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:51:33 -0800

What a small world. I once heard Phillip Serna play the Rautavaara in recital while visiting Northwestern, and it rocked my young impressionable mind. As I recall, he did an encore with a guitar-playing friend consisting of an acoustic, coffeeshop version of "Toxicity" by System of a Down, which was equally awesome.