Sounds of Spain 2 is an exciting series of evocative and vibrant works for unaccompanied double bass. Jazzy and rhythmic styles and idioms explore a wealth of Mediterranean colours and textures in luminous music which is always engaging and invigorating. Ideal for the intermediate-advanced bassist.
1. Syrinx “The Syrinx Project is a wonderful idea by David Heyes to commemorate the centenary of the death of Claude Debussy. With Syrinx I wanted to tell about the original story of Syrinx and Pan. The piece has five sections and in the first I present Syrinx with a lyrical and elusive melody that defines the beauty and sensuality of the nymph. The second part describes the atmosphere of the enchantment that Pan feel when he sees her and immediately falls in love. Then she realises that Pan is following her…In this third section Syrinx´s melody is heard again but now it sounds a little more intense because Pan chases her until she reaches the river and vanishes. The fourth section tells of the moment when Pan arrives at the river and cannot find her anywhere. He looks to one side, then to the other, searches among the reeds (Cadenza) and does not find her, but only hears the whisper of the wind and the sound of the reeds (Vivo). Tired of looking, Pan decides to cut the reeds and tries to reproduce the whisper of the wind that reminds him of the beauty of the nymph. In this last section Pan leaves the river playing a melancholy melody on the reed flute while thinking of his beloved as he slowly loses himself in the forest. I tried to create a mystical atmosphere throughout inspired me by the sonority of Debussy’s piece.” [Simón García]
2. Arenas Movedizas (Quicksand) is dedicated to Damian Arenas and exists in versions for the jazz or classical bassist. In one movement and brimming with rhythmic energy and momentum, the music drives forward, throughout the orchestral and solo register of the instrument, offering musical and technical challenges in tandem. Ideal for any audience or occasion.
3. Three for Teppo is a suite of three short pieces and was composed for Teppo-Fest 2016, to celebrate the 75th birthday of the iconic Finnish bassist-composer Teppo Hauta-aho. 1. A Second Life is lyrical and engaging, with a repeated upward moving theme followed by double stops in high and low registers. 2. Polar Lights is a colourful and evocative mini-tone poem, played pizzicato throughout, which contrasts
a simple melodic line with a gently moving accompaniment played in harmonics. 3. Ajatar – Finnish Devil of the Woods is fast and furious, with rhythmic energy and momentum, bringing the suite to a powerful and exciting conclusion.
4. La Gioconda (Da Vinci 500) “La Gioconda [Mona Lisa] is one of the most famous paintings in the world and contains many mysteries. My vision of this piece is through one of them … Why did Leonardo never sell the painting and, take it with him to every city where he lived until his death? Today we all carry portraits of the people we love on our phones but this was not possible at the Leonardo´s time… Would this be an answer to the mystery? My piece is played only with harmonics because I wanted to describe the feelings of an old Leonardo remembering this woman in his portrait every day. Using the mixture of major and minor keys I tried to describe the cheerfulness of this mysterious woman and the nostalgia that her memories brought to Leonardo. The theme is repeated in the minor, as if imitating the visual game that the painter does with the smile of his model. Like Leonardo´s secret codes there is a hidden mystery in the reason I only wrote eight different notes throughout the piece and in the same way that in the original it is not clear at all the identity of the model my piece is dedicated to an unknown woman.” [Simón García]