Can Can Basses

SKU: BT.YE0055

For 4 double basses. A very short quartet suitable as an encore. Only the top part is advanced. Recorded Berlin Philharmonic Quartet (Camerata). 2 solo DB with 2 Orchestra DB.

Grade: Varying.

SKU: BT.YE0074

Three double basses. 'Seven short movements in contrasted tonal style. Lovely straight forward writing...useful in bringing pupils together'. Music Teacher. Few difficulties. Score and parts.

Grade: Easy.

SKU: BT.YE0036

Four movements, top part advanced. Several recordings and many broadcasts. Duration c.13'.

Programme Notes:

The Swiss composer Joseph Lauber was born at Ruswil near Lucerne in 1864. After studying with Heger in Zürich and Rheinberger in Munich, Lauber worked with Diémer and Massenet in Paris. With Massenet he learnt a great deal about orchestration, a subject that he subsequently taught until the end of his life at the Geneva conservatoire as well as piano and composition. He died in 1952.

Lauber's 193 catalogued works are many and varied. He wrote for all instruments and in every genre except oratorio and opera. Among his output areseveral works for double bass, most written for Prof. Hans Fryba, a personal friend with whom he worked as a double bass and piano recital duo. Fryba was one of the leading players in Europe in his day and was principal of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. First was Theme and Variations (1936-7) and a Rhapsodie with orchestra (1937). Three Walzes followed in 1939, a Gavotte and Gigue, a Sonata and then in 1943 Fantasie de Concert, written for the Geneva Competition. Four Caprices appeared in 1942, the same date as the Quartet for double basses which was dedicated to Fryba and written for the Berlin Philharmonic Double Bass Quartet, one of the first ever such ensembles to exist.

The Quartet for double basses was revived by Klaus Stoll in the 1970s for the Philharmonic Double Bass Quartet at that time to play. It was subsequently published in 1975 by Yorke Edition by kind permission of the composer's son Edmund Lauber.

Rodney Slatford 2004

SKU: BT.YE0073

'This delightful divertimento is a typically excellent production of Yorke Edition'. Notes. Bravura, three movements. Recorded New Colophonium Bass Quartet (MusicaViva).

Grade: Moderate.

SKU: ST.YE0036

ISBN 9790570590360.

SKU: ST.YE0069

ISBN 9790570590698.

SKU: ST.YE0074

ISBN 9790570590742.

SKU: PR.514050610

UPC: 680160250172.

Four movements, top part advanced. Several recordings and many broadcasts. Duration c.13'.

SKU: ST.YE0028

ISBN 9790570590285.

SKU: ST.YE0073

ISBN 9790570590735.

SKU: ST.YE0050

ISBN 9790570590506.

SKU: ST.YE0046

ISBN 9790570590469.

SKU: ST.YE0089

ISBN 9790570590896.

SKU: ST.YE0084

ISBN 9790570590841.

SKU: SU.50001750

I.March; II. Aria; III. Menuetto; IV. Bagpipers; V. Notturno; VI. Businessman's Bounce Winner 1st Prize, 1977 International Composition Competition sponsored by the International Society of Bassists, Bass Ensemble category Published by: Seesaw Music.

SKU: BT.YBB1266

Scene for three double basses.

SKU: BT.YE0075

Four Double Basses. Eight well-known Christmas carols in a new guise. Score and parts.

The Programme of Christmas Carols was first performed in New Orleans in 1976. In its original version, the players were required to wear Dickensian costume and a seasonal narrative preceded each of the carol arrangements. The texts appear below.

Duration without text: c.20 minutes
Duration with text: c.45 minutes

Introduc tion by Robert Rohe

The introductory text, assembled with the kind assistance of Father Peacock of Loyola University of New Orleans, was designed for use where the receptivity of the audience warrants. So little is known about thebeloved Christmas carols, it is fitting that a brief sketch of the carols' past be used to enhance the familiar music.

If desired, the introductory text may be omitted at the discretion of the performers.

The brief text preceding each carol should be used to acquaint the audience with what to expect, from a quartet that will be playing the unexpected. The text also will pace the program and will extend performance time to around 45 minutes.

In performance, the bass viol quartet of New Orleans wore peaked caps, and turtle necked sweaters to simulate the street performers of Dickens' time. The choice of four string basses for this program was to bring the closest relatives of the true viol into play.

History and development of the Christmas Carol

The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has been observed for nearly 2,000 years, through the ritual of the Christian Church, with part of that ritual being devoted to celebration in song. In those early days, church music was sung only, no musical instruments taking part in the service.

The type of song used by the church had the name 'plain-song'. It was a single line of melody, plain and unadorned, sung by one or more voices. By the year 1660 A.D., it had developed a second name, 'The Gregorian Chant', after Pope Gregory, who encouraged the use.

SKU: BT.YE0050

'Nursery Grind/Strauss in the Doghouse/American Basses Humour in abundance... fun for a quartet of expert bass players. Lovely stuff!' The Strad. A successful joke (Neue Musiktung). This advanced quartet has had immense success ontelevision, radio and in the concert hall.

Grade: Advanced.

SKU: BT.YE0028

'Opens a new perspective in solo bass playing'. Das Orcher. A virtuoso work with rhythmic complexities.

Grade: Advanced.

SKU: BT.YE0069

'Should be in every bass player's library'. Making Music.

Grade: Advanced.

SKU: ST.YE0049

ISBN 9790570590490.

SKU: ST.YE0006

ISBN 9790570590063.