Description

Circus Parade was composed for Fizz@50 and is a fun and engaging work which is ideally suited to the intermediate bassist. Remaining in bass clef …throughout, the music is rhythmically charged and offers musical and technical challenges in equal measure. The accompaniment is lively and colourful, creating a piece which offers much to players and audiences alike. Circus Parade depicts a scene where the circus has arrived in town and the performers put on an entertaining street parade. Musically, the march-like nature of the parade is balanced with a playful and comical atmosphere. The light-hearted melodic writing in the double bass is combined with colourful harmonic material in the piano, which incorporates the subtle use of polytonality in places.
[Programme note by Douglas Mason]
Circus Parade was premiered at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) on Sunday 2 October 2011 by Joe Prindl (double bass) and Gemma Beeson (piano). Circus Parade was composed for Fizz@50, a project in 2010 to celebrate the 50th birthday of bassist-composer David Heyes, founder of Recital Music, in 2010. Fifty composers around the world were invited to write a piece for double bass and piano, ideally lasting around three minutes and aimed at a school-age bassist. The commission fee was a bottle of champagne.