Dedicated to François Rabbath for his 90th birthday. ‘Secrets of the Silk Road’ by David Heyes is free and rhapsodic, allowing the player freedom throughout, and explores a wealth of middle eastern sounds and effects.
It evokes the many sounds and sights of the Silk Road, remembering the routes travelled by countless traders over many centuries and the great riches and images of amazing luxury and exotic new spices.
The double bass uses a three-octave range featuring a wealth of colours and timbres to describe the wonders of the Silk Road.
David Heyes 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.