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 29 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.

Beneath the Stars was written in 2014 for double bassist James Rintoul. Inspired by the first movement of Frank Proto’s Sonata ‘1963’ the piano accompaniment… only uses two chords, expanded within a series of rhythmic variations, echoing the simplicity and soporific effect of Satie’s evocative Gymnopédie. The solo line is lyrical and song-like, emphasising the cantabile qualities of the double bass, contrasted by a more urgent and impassioned middle section before the music falls away into a recapitulation of the gently moving chordal introduction. Beneath the Stars was composed to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War with the idea that the stars look down on everyone… friend or foe alike! [David Heyes] This edition includes piano accompaniments for solo and orchestral tuning.