The A night at the Opera series
The world of opera has long inspired composers and players to plunder the best arias and melodies to transcribe for other instruments. The double bass is no exception and Bottesini's operatic fantasias are still at the very heart of our solo repertoire into the 21st-century.
Recital Music publish a number of opera transcriptions - works for double bass and piano or double bass ensemble - and there are many more works in various stages of publication. It's difficult to keep a good tune down!
Not one for the purists! The Can-Can transcribes well for double bass quartet and is a lively and upbeat addition to the transcription repertoire. It evokes the gaiety and 'joie de vivre' of 19th-century Parisian life, and is always popular with audiences. The melodic interest is shared between the players and there is great scope for fun and enjoyment. Ideal as an encore or the final piece in a concert, this has been a constant best-seller since publication.
Although arranged for bass quartet by David Heyes, it has also been successfully performed with larger forces.
Performance Level: 6-8
