Description

Koussevitsky’s Two Salon Pieces Op. 2 and Op. 4 remain at the heart of the double bass repertoire today and Recital Music’s new digital publication …returns to the original Russian printed editions to create new and exciting versions of these much loved pieces. Each piece is an exquisite and miniature tone poem, typical of salon music at the end of the 19th-century, demonstrating the lyrical and virtuosic potential of the double bass throughout its solo register. Chanson Triste Op.2 is a beautiful and intensely passionate piece which exploits the entire range of the double bass. The solo writing is simple and darkly expressive, demonstrating the sonorous and cantabile qualities of the instrument, contrasting a brighter and hopeful middle section which increases in intensity before descending to the lowest note of the double bass. From the depths, the music rises towards the highest register before a final recapitulation of the opening section before ending with a sense of hopeless despair. Humoresque Op.4 is a lively and entertaining piece with bright and animated arpeggio musical themes which are also played in harmonics. The happy and carefree opening passage contrasts a more romantic and dramatic middle section, abounding with chromatic sidesteps, before the opening music returns and the piece ends simply and with a witty and effective pizzicato final note. Many bowings and details are inconsistent in the original editions and a number of editorial decisions have been taken to create new versions which hopefully reflect the composer’s original intentions. The edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings.