Simon Garcia writes: "To write this work was a challenge and was inspired by some music sketches that came out in a master class about composition for the double bass in Valletta. The challenge was to write the piece in only one day and to premiere it on Sunday 19 October 2019. I originally composed it for bass sextet but then decided to write a new part which can be played by beginners, so it´s a perfect work for play together with bassists of all abilities.

Great Fun and Smiles in Malta has two different themes, first in G minor and the second in G major. With a rhythmic accompaniment and a marching melody, different techniques appear throughout the piece such as pizzicato, tremolo and harmonics. It was premiere at the final concert of Malta International Double Bass Days on 19 October, 2019 in Valletta´s Old University by all the double bass students and featured teachers Gjorgji Cincievski, Michelle Scicluna, Jiri Hudec and Simón García. It was a very successful premiere for both the audience and the players."

Bassist and composer Simon Garcia was born in Mugardos (Spain) in 1977 and graduated in double bass from the Conservatorio Superior of Salamanca. He has worked as a double bassist in the Royal Orchestra of Galicia, having also performed in many orchestras throughout Spain, and is the bassist in the Symphony Wind Orchestra of A. Coruna. He has collaborated with many musicians and ensembles, particularly in the field of contemporary music, and has recorded and performed on many commercial recordings and for television and radio broadcasts.

Simon Garcia has composed more than fifty works for double bass, ranging from two to six players, alongside transcriptions of these pieces for various chamber ensembles. His music has been performed in Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Italy, Austria, Germany, Canada, USA and UK by The Bass Gang, Bass Instinct and Il Quint-etto amongst others, and some of his music was used as teaching material in the 2011 ISB Year of Collaborative Music.

Simon Garcia's music is lively, jazzy and rhythmic with great forward momentum and drive. Accessible for players and audiences alike, he writes colourful music of distinction and energy, employing the entire range of the double bass.