Californian Duett is dedicated to Andrés Martin and Jeremy Kurtz, both solo bassists in Tijuana and San Diego respectively, and both from California. The composer aimed to create a work with ‘a Californian soul’ which encompasses a strong mix of rhythm and harmony, with a strong influence of Californian rock. There are musical and technical challenges for each performer, using the entire range of the solo double bass, and creating a work of great rhythmic energy and momentum.
Californian Duett was premiered on 8 July 2011 at the EAEM (School of Advanced Musical Studies in Galicia) in the city of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) by Ernst Weissensteiner and Damian Arenas, as part of the opening concert of the 9th Ludwig Streicher Festival. It received its UK premiere on 20 August 2011 on the Pyramid Stage at Penny’s Square Barn (Batcombe, Somerset), performed by David Heyes and Ben Groenevelt.