Description

Memento Mori was composed in May 2018 and is originally for double bass and organ, or piano. The music is slow and reflective, expressing an atmospheric …and evocative sound world and the solo line is simple and sustained, with a gently moving accompaniment which reflects the mood and emotion of the piece. Memento Mori is dedicated to the master luthier, Martin Penning, who was present for the premiere. The edition includes two solo bass parts, one for orchestral and one for solo tuning. Memento Mori was premiered by David Heyes (double bass) and Nick Tall (organ) at East Harptree Parish Church (Somerset, UK) on Saturday 9 June 2018 and received its Mexican premiere on 23 August 2018 by Marco Antonio Quinones Martinez (double bass) and Patricia Miravete (piano). This new arrangement was premiered at St John the Baptist Church, Glastonbury (Somerset) on Thursday 20 March 2025 by David Heyes (double bass) and James Rippingale (guitar). David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman. David’s collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 700 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra. David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 33 countries across five continents. He is a D’Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning. Classical Guitarist James Rippingale discovered a love of music at an early age and, after receiving an acoustic guitar one Christmas morning, James explored many different styles from Blues and Rock to Jazz and Flamenco and loved to improvise his own music. At age 17 James was blessed to meet a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and fell deeply in love with the classical guitar, it’s rich and delicate sound world and incredible repertoire. He set his mind to studying this amazing instrument and went on to complete a degree at Leeds College of Music and travel extensively seeking out the great players and teachers he most admired and learning from them. James has played concerts across the UK and abroad. He loves to play an eclectic blend of repertoire from the rich music of Spain to the renaissance pieces, modern repertoire and his own compositions. Concerts often include pieces from Spain, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan, Germany, America and beyond and are fuelled by a great curiosity and love of music and the guitar. He now teaches at Wells Cathedral School as a specialist classical guitar teacher and is able to share the art he loves with young players and enthusiasts. James met double bassist and composer David Heyes while working at Wells Cathedral School and is grateful to have played with him at many concerts. This current arrangement is the result of them generating new repertoire for a lunchtime recital together in 2025. James lives in the magical town of Glastonbury UK with his partner Sophie and their cats. Cover Photo: Teppo-Fest 2016 (Silk Mill, Frome, Somerset) by Sarah Poole