Recital-Music

Zingaresca A czardas-influenced work which is full of the fire and passion of the typical Gipsy idiom. Zingaresca offers much for the advanced bassist and would be ideal for conservatoire or university students who are confident playing throughout the solo range of the instrument. A slow and lyrical introduction leads into a rhythmic and lively czardas these with opportunities to demonstrate both musical and technical prowess in equal measure. Ideal as the final work in a recital and performed many times by the composer. The edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings. Performance Level: Advanced Miloslav Gajdos is one of Europe's most active and inventive bassist-composers. He was born in northern Moravia in 1948 and initially learned violin before transferring to the double bass, studying with Alois Kriz, Jiri Bortlicek and Ludwig Streicher. He has been Professor of Double Bass at the Vejvenovsky Conseravtoire in Kromeriz (Czech Republic) since 1971, and was a member of the Olomouc Symphony Orchestra for a number of years. He is Director of the Gregora International Double Bass Competition, founded in 1979 and held every two years in Kromeriz, and has been a juror at many competitions in Hungary, Germany and the Czech Republic. Miloslav Gajdos is a prolific composer and arranger and, for almost 40 years, has produced a vast body of original works and transcriptions for double bass which are performed worldwide. His original works combine Czech lyricism and melody with brilliant technical demands, and music from one to sixteen double basses. He writes in a traditional and accessible style, producing music for every level of performer, particularly for the advanced bassist, and his many works for unaccompanied double bass are frequently chosen as international competition repertoire. Miloslav Gajdos was Recital Music's Featured Composer in 2007 and has recently revised a number of earlier works for the intermediate bassist which will be published by Recital Music.intermediate bassist which will be published by Recital Music.

Arranger : David Heyes The Transcriptions Series series Recital Music publish a wealth of original works for double bass alongside a popular, accessible and growing range of transcriptions for bassists of all ages and abilities. Most transcriptions published by Recital Music are by David Heyes, who has a successful and proven track record when arranging for double bass. Czardas for violin and piano is Monti's only famous work, believed to have been composed in the early years of the 20th-century, and has been composed for almost every instrument, every instrumental combination, and performed by every gipsy orchestra or ensemble. The slow rhapsodic introduction quickly leads into the main theme which is full of rhythmic fire and gipsy passion. A slow section, primarily in double stops, is then repeated in high harmonics before a brief return of the fast viruosic music which leads into a reprise of the Czardas material, but now in the tonic major. A fast and energetic finale brings the piece to a rousing and successful conclusion. This exciting new arrangement by David Heyes offers musical and technical challenges in equal measure and the edition includes accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings. An arrangement for double bass quartet is in preparation. Italian composer, conductor and violinist, Vittorio Monti was born in Naples on 6 January 1868 and died on 20 June 1922. He studied at the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella with F. Pinto (violin) and Paolo Serrao (composition) and moved to Paris in 1886 where he studied violin with Camillo Sivori, Paganini's most famous pupil. For many years Monti was a member of the Lamoureux Orchestra in Paris, also conducting the orchestra on occasions, and composed ballets, operettas and instrumental music during his years in the French capital.

Recital Music has developed a large exciting and eclectic catalogue of Christmas music for choirs in recent years. Some works are published for the first time others are in new editions and we aim to provide accessible and enjoyable choral music for choirs of all ages and abilities. Enjoy!Shout for the King! is a joyous and vibrant carol for junior choir and piano. It's Latin-American influence has proved popular with choirs and audiences alike and a double bass and percussion can easily be added for extra energy and atmosphere.Chord symbols are included for optional double bass or guitar accompaniment.The composer writes: 'Shout forthe King! was composed one evening in December 2004. At the time I was training as a Primary School teaching assistant and involved in playing the piano for the school's various Christmas musical events and concerts. It was the first time I had written both lyrics and music which both came to me at the same time. I subsequently taught the song to the children in the days which followed which they loved and it was the first time a 'real' composer had written anything for them. A week later it was premiered at the school carol concert with me playing the piano.I have always wanted to write a new and catchy Christmas carol drawing influences from all the familiar ones we know and love every Christmas. I also wanted the melody of the verses and chorus to be catchy and repetitive and would be easy and enjoyable for junior choirs to learn. I have always had a fondness for Latin-American rhythms hence the happy groove which I think add to the appeal!'Born in Cardiff in 1975 and trained in piano and flute at school Jay Mackie studied composition as an undergraduate at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from 1997-2000 and completed an MMus gaining a distinction in Composition in 2004.At college Jayson received three scholarship prizes for composing where his Wind Quintet was a featured work at the ISCM's World Music Days

12 Pieces For Beginner Double Bass-Feathered Friends is a set of 12 short enjoyable characterful and lively pieces for the beginner bassist and was composed in 2009 for Recital Music's BassLine project. Each piece can be played in 1st position although half position can be produced in several and they employ a limited number of notes keys note values and rhythms. Teachers should feel confident to teach the pieces in the order best suited to each student.The accompaniments are simple and supportive aimed at the bass teacher with some pianistic skills and Katrina Gordon has a successful and proven record when writing lively enjoyable fun and accessible music foryounger players. Each piece includes an evocative written description to inspire the young bassists to create a mini tone-poem in a short space of time. This is music written to be enjoyed by players teachers and audiences alike.

Double Trouble was composed in 2006 as part of Recital Music's One Minute Wonders project - for pieces lasting exactly one minute. It was premiered by Sophie Heyes (double bass) accompanied by the composer on 18 October of that year. Double Trouble is adapted from a song from the musical of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters and the rhythm of the famous verse 'Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble' can clearly be heard. Aimed at the intermediate bassist this is lively and rhythmic music which is successful in performance.

SOLO TUNING See RM722 for Orchestral Tuning The 'Dragonetti Concerto' was first published in 1925 by Alphonse Leduc in Paris as No.23 of Edouard Nanny's 'Les Classiques de la Contrebasse'. For many years no one questioned its authenticity, but as more research into Dragonetti's original works for double bass was made, concerns began to arise. Many of Dragonetti manuscripts survive in the British Library, thanks to Vincent Novello who donated them in 1849, three years after Dragonetti's death and on Novello's retirement to Italy, but there is no original manuscript for this work. As bassists began to edit and perform a wide range of Dragonetti's works it became clear that this concerto bore little resemblance to any of his other pieces. The work does, however, have many similarities to Nanny's Concerto for double bass, also to his other solo works and even studies from his Method. Eventually most people came to the conclusion that this work is not an original work by the great Venetian bassist but is by Edouard Nanny, and in the style of the late 18th-century. Having said that, this is still a charming and evocative work which has much player and audience appeal and is very easy on the ears. Many of the challenges for the soloist are technical and, almost a century after its first publication, it is still as popular as ever. Published in 1925, the first movement was performed at London's Wigmore Hall on 15 April the following year by Victor Watson (double bass) and Sidney Crooke (piano), and was described a 'Contrabass Concerto by Dragonetti-Nanny. ERRATA: Piano part: page 8 (1st movement), bar 87 - final chord of bar in right hand should be D/E/G# - a dominant 7th chord in A major Edouard Nanny was an important French double bassist and teacher, also composing and transcribing many works for double bass. He was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye on 24 March 1872 and he studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Professor Verrimst, also teaching there from 1920-1940. He performed often as a soloist, also working as an orchestral bassist with many orchestras such as the Paris Symphony Orchestra, Concerts Lamoureux and the Orchestra de l'Opera Comique, and in 1901 he founded the Henry Casadeus Society of Old Instruments, chaired by Camille Saint-Saens, and intended to revive the works from the past centuries. Nanny's Method for double bass is still in print, over 90 years since its first publication and both volumes contain a wealth of excellent technical studies and exercises which are as relevant today as they were in the 1920s. His other volumes of studies are mostly out of print and Recital Music plan to reprint some of his orginal works for double bass, transcriptions and educational music to keep alive the name of Edouard Nanny into the 21st-century. Edouard Nanny died in Paris in 1942.

Dedicated to French bassist Edouard Nanny this exquisite miniature is now available in both solo and orchestral tunings (published together) for the first time. The music is strongly independent and lyrical in a mildly modern idiom and makes an ideal recital work for the good intermediate bassist (c.Grade 8). The influence of Ravel and Debussy is obvious and this has much to commend it to any adventurous bassist looking for something a little different. The piano accompaniment is strong yet supportive. This new edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings. Performance Level: Grade 8+

In Flanders Fields is a series of poignant and evocative choral works with a theme of reconciliation and remembrance set to iconic texts by John McCrae and Rupert Brooke.Alan Smith was born in London in 1962 and spent his childhood in Croydon. He sang with various local choirs and attended the nearby Royal School of Church Music where he began organ lessons with Michael Fleming at the age of ten. He was appointed as Organist and Choirmaster of a local church at the age of 16 and later became Organ Scholar at Kings' College London where he studied from 1981 to 1984. As part of his music degree he specialized in composition studying with Nicola LeFanu David Lumsdaine and George Nicholson.Following postgraduate training at the London Institute of Education Alan began his teaching career. After working in various schools he became Head of Music at Hazelwick School Crawley in 1990 a post he continues to hold. In the same year he came to some prominence by winning the RSCM's annual composing competition. His successful entry Let the Peoples Praise You became his first published piece and continues to be widely performed. Since then his choral compositions have won several awards most recently the Thornesian Prize in 2003 and an honorable mention in the 2004 Vanguard Premieres Competition.Alan's output is predominantly of choral and vocal music much of it written for specific choirs or occasions and his catalogue runs to over 150 works. In the UK his music is published by Animus Curiad Cantiones Press Escorial Edition Fagus Music and RSCM while in America he is published by Abingdon Press CanticaNOVA OUP Pavane and Roger Dean.Since 1998 Alan has been Director of Music at St Andrew's church in Burgess Hill West Sussex where he lives with his wife and three children.

Angelus ad Virginem describes the Annunciation the biblical event in which the Angel Gabriel communicated with Mary about the forthcoming birth of Jesus. The tranquil music is intended to depict the angelic voice of Gabriel and the voice of Mary through its chant-like nature and exotic shifting harmonies. Douglas Mason began his musical training as a chorister in Gloucester Cathedral Choir under John Sanders. He subsequently read music at Durham University and went on to train as a music teacher at Leeds University also singing professionally as a lay clerk in the Choir of Leeds Parish Church at this time.As a composer Douglas focuses on choral works in particular and he has also written and arranged music for schools. As a performer Douglas has sung on numerous television and radio broadcasts and appeared on recordings for several labels including Abbey Priory and ASC records. For several years he was also a member of the William Byrd Singers directed by Stephen Wilkinson.

Anna R. Matthews writes: 'Frederick Niven's poem tells the story of Christmas in 1914. On Christmas Day a truce was spontaneously enacted by the two sides fighting in Flanders in World War One. This was five months into the war which until this point many in Britain had confidently believed would be over by that time. When the two sides lay down their weapons in the name of humanity and met in the middle of no-man's-land they would not have realised the bloodshed that was to come as the war dragged on for a further four years - a conflict so atrocious that it came to be known as 'the war to end all wars'.This carol conveys the unknowing innocence of thosemen and the joy of Christmas yet explores the sinister context in which they met and the future which was to come. Ultimately the events of the 1914 Christmas truce came to symbolise the universality of hope and peace at Christmas. This carol brings this message into the twenty-first century.' Anna R. Matthews is a composer living in Exeter England. Born in Devon Anna studied music at Durham University where she was awarded the Rosalind Dickinson Prize. She enjoys working with some of today's most talented and creative ensembles: from Psappha to EXAUDI and from cathedral choirs to youth ensembles. Her music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and she has been a featured new music composer in Choir & Organ magazine. Anna was a finalist in the 2011 King James Bible Composition Awards and is a 2013/24 Arts Council England fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme. She is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

A very well constructed brief 'serious' work this short piece offers effective and accessible music for the intermediate bassist using almost a three octave range with scope to demonstrate a range of sounds colours and moods. Two editions included together - for solo double bass or for 2 or more bassists. 'Erkon Elegia is accessible to advanced beginning bassists with the ability to perform with confidence into the lower thumb positions.' [ISB] 'Erkon Elegia is a versatile little piece that can be played as a solo duo trio or ensemble. In only 49 bars and using elementary music Hauta-aho manages to use many of his trademark compositionalcharacteristics...it's friendly geography and varied colourscape should prove popular with beginning bassists.' [Double Bassist]

Although known primarily for his choral music Humphrey Clucas has written a number of successful works for double bass and his lively and easy going compositional style has been popular with players and teachers alike. Aimed at the good intermediate bassist (Grade 6/7) this suite is similar to the Bach Cello Suite format and consists of a Prelude followed by a set of dance-movements. Written in a lively and approachable style there are effective musical and technical challenges within the orchestral register and these would be ideal as both study and concert music. Baroque Suite was premiered by Eloise Riddell during Bass-Fest (2009) at Wells Cathedral School

A lively three-movement suite aimed at the young bassist and composed in 2003 for Eloise Riddell. Work to Do! has a strong rhythmic drive contrasting a lyrical and rhapsodic Sweet Dreams. The suite ends with A Fun Day! brimming with energy and great character. Typical of Tony Osborne's music this is approachable accessible and very playable - full of jazzy rhythmic energy and style. Ideal for any school concert or performance with musical and technical challenges for the younger bassist.

American composer-bassist Armand Russell has created a wealth of music for double bass over the past fifty years and more recently has arranged a tasteful number of works for the instrument. This four movement sonata (Adagio Allegro Largo Presto) by Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773) offers a new and accessible transcription for the good intermediate bassist who is confident in low thumb position. Only available in orchestral tuning there are musical and technical challenges in equal measure and much to enjoy for performers and audiences alike. Sonata in G major is also available in two editions for double bass (or cello) trio andstring orchestra. The accompaniment is playable by piano or harpsichord and the limited range of dynamics allows each performer freedom to create their own unique performance and interpretation.