Kuchynka’s Dumka was completed on 15 December 1895 and has remained in manuscript until this edition.

Written in three contrasting sections, the piece explores the solo register of the double bass with an effective and supportive accompaniment which adds character and colour.The musical style is instantly appealing and engaging. 

A dumka in music is generally melancholy in character with sudden changes of mood and Kuchynka’s piece, probably composed for his own recitals, demonstrates his technical prowess of the double bass and his ability to create evocative and atmospheric concert music.

This edition includes piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings.

About the composer: Vojta Kuchynka

Kuchynka (1871-1942) gave solo recitals until the day of his retirement when he celebrated his 600th recital and was known as ‘the Kubelík of the Double Bass’, after the leading Czech violinist of the day Jan Kubelík (1880-1940).

He was praised for his perfect technique, impressive harmonic work, interpretation, and tasteful transcriptions of classical works. Most of his recitals were in Bohemia or Moravia, and one concert in Prague, reviewed in The Strad by Miss Windust, stated: “Alongside the brilliant performances of František Ondříček and Karel Hoffmann, it was the admirable virtuosity of Vojta Kuchynka that made the deepest impression on me.” He made the first Czech double bass recording for Parlophon, and Prague Radio broadcast recitals of his music to celebrate his 65th and 70th birthdays.