Heli's Joy was completed on 20 March 1993 to celebrate the 80th birthday of the American bassist and teacher, David Walter and is dedicated to David Walter and to the Finnish bassist, Heli Haapakoski. Heli was a bass student at the time, is now an orchestral player in Finland, and gave the premiere of the piece in Helsinki in 1996.

Heli's Joy offers many challenges for the adventurous bassist. It uses much of the range of the solo double bass, including harmonics, double stops and optional improvisation, with much to explore both musically and technically. Lyrical and dramatic by turns, this is colourful and atmospheric writing, full of rhythmic invention and momentum.

Many opportunities to demonstrate more than simply technique and an excellent example of the work of this leading Finnish bassist-composer.

Performance Level: Advanced