South American Suite was commissioned by David Heyes, as part of an international commission project supported and funded by 23 bassists from five countries. In…
South American Suite was commissioned by David Heyes, as part of an international commission project supported and funded by 23 bassists from five countries. In four movements and in bass clef throughout, each movement offers musical and technical challenges, with something of interest for each player. It can be performed as a suite or single movements and will work with quartet or massed basses. South American Suite would be ideal for any teacher looking for music which works, because it is written by a bassist, but also includes sufficient challenges to maintain each players interest and imagination during rehearsals. Bass 4 only plays in 1st position.
1) Emigrant’s March features dialogues between players with a more upbeat middle section which contrasts music of a more martial and rhythmic nature.
2) American Dream has a 12-bar Blues pattern, with respective harmonies and contrasts between the major and minor modes. Repeated four times, with the melody passing between basses 1 and 2, and a quasi-improvisation played by bass 3, the music is rhythmic and confident.
3) Walking on the Roof is played pizzicato throughout with contrapuntal textures using a range of imitation between the voices.
4) Big River is in Rondo form, with a galloping and rhythmic 16 bar theme which develops into aChorale in E minor, before the opening music returns bringing the music to a confident and successful conclusion.
