Description

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a colourful and engaging five-movement suite for the intermediate double bass quartet. Remaining in bass clef, the addition of …simple harmonics in 4th position and different playing effects help to create contrast and interest in music which is instantly accessible and appealing. Each movement is short and succinct, playable in any order and with solo opportunities for each player. The edition includes a score and four individual parts. “Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of St. Petersburg on the Mississippi River, this 1876 American novel, written by Mark Twain (i.e. Samuel Clemens), was published in 1876, the first of his
several communiqués concerning the many escapades of one Tom Sawyer with his best friend Huckleberry Finn. Upon publication the book itself eventually became a best seller – the famous American writer William Faulkner considered Twain “the father of all American literature”, an accolade he based largely on his impressions of the Tom SawyerHuckleberry Finn collection. I’ve singled out five characters from the book and composed one bass quartet for each of them, my impression of the disposition, temperament, and personality Mr. Clemens so carefully recorded. It must be said that Tom Sawyer, the protagonist of the story, is actually quite a mischievous young fellow, but at the end of the day he does have a good heart, and quite an imagination. This quartet is set in 6/8 time at a lively tempo that reflects the boys’ energetic proclivity. Tom’s mother and father, having at some distant time passed away, have left him in the care of his Aunt Polly, a well-intentioned widow who would like nothing more than to raise Tom to be a well-mannered and civilised young man, but often feels herself to be a failure in that regard. The slow moving tempo and the ambiguity of the tonality in this quartet reflect the aunt’s lack of certainty concerning the success of her efforts to keep Tom on the straight and narrow path. Tom and Huck, have witnessed Injun Joe, the antagonist of this story, in a serious act of foul play, and much of the tale involves their efforts to steer clear of this nasty individual. Set in slow and lugubrious 3/2 time
and oscillating somewhat freely between an E minor and E Locrian mode, a shadowy and unpleasant ambience is established, mirroring the discomfort the boys feel in the presence of this villain. Becky Thatcher, the beautiful and wealthy love of Tom’s juvenile life, steps into his world and totally overwhelms his entire being. Becky’s song is set entirely by using the six harmonics used in this set of quartets, providing a careful and delicate flautando sound that embodies perfectly her gentle presence in his world. Tom’s best friend, Huckleberry Finn, lives pretty much on his own, having escaped his only parent, his abusive drunken father. This happening, as it turned out, offered several unexpected and much appreciated benefits, such as: no school obligations, nor church or Sunday School, sleep where, when, and as late as one chooses, etc. His song is one of carefree rejoicing, presented with a dance-like country rhythm.” [Michael Montgomery] This set of quartets is intended for bass students still working largely in the orchestral register of the instrument, the highest note used is “G” – one octave above the open G string. Six easily accessible harmonics are also used: three in 4th position (with 1st finger, generating the notes E, A, D) and three found one octave above the top three open strings (A, D, G).