The Transcriptions Series series
Recital Music publish a wealth of original works for double bass alongside a popular, accessible and growing range of transcriptions for bassists of all ages and abilities. Most transcriptions published by Recital Music are by David Heyes, who has a successful and proven track record when arranging for double bass.
Josef Strauss (1827-1870) was arguably the most talented of the Strauss dynasty, although his brother Johann was certainly the most successful and popular.
The Jockey Polka, composed in 1870, was one of Josef's last compositions and is a fast and lively 'polka schnell' which is full of fun, rhythmic energy and great forward momentum. It is evocative of the dance music of the 19th-century, is brimming with high spirits, and will be successful in performance.
This new version for double bass octet, arranged in December 2011, is a lively and fun transcription, suitable for any conservatoire or university bass department, and would be ideal as a final encore. The music is full of great energy and spirit and the parts are carefully arranged so that basses 1-4 play almost entirely in treble clef and thumb position, and basses 5-8 play in bass clef, to allow players of various abilities to take part.
Who will be first past the finishing post? It should be a photo finish....
