Colonel Cody & the Flying Cathedral is one of a set of pieces for double bass ensemble commemorating the pioneering work of some extraordinary men.

'Colonel' Samuel Franklin Cody (1861-1913) was a larger-than-life man who lived a full life as a sharp-shooting and horse-riding showman in the Wild West and later became an important figure in the formative stages of aviation.

This music reflects the highs and lows, triumphs and failures, of the embryonic world of manned flight. We celebrate Cody's exuberant and adventurous spirit, the construction and airborne power of great aircraft - the exhilaration of flight - the crashes - the renewal of energy and effort - the final, fatal journey - but always the proud memory of a determined and heroic man.

In October 1908 Samuel Cody was the first man to fly in Britain and this publication marks that important and significant achievement.

Other works in preparation include:

True Grit (John Wayne)
Sagas & Legends (Jean Sibelius)
Impressions of Elgar (Edward Elgar)
Mr Brunel's Victorian Vision (Isambard Kingdom Brunel)

Tony Osborne is an important educationalist and prolific composer who has made a significant and unique contribution to the double bass repertoire over the past 35 years. His solo music for young bassists is included by many international examination boards, and his many ensembles pieces are performed at workshops and concerts throughout the world. Tony Osborne notes the influences of Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein, alongside some of the Russian masters, on his music, which he combines with a jazzy, rhythmic and energetic style that has been popular with players and audiences worldwide.

Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divides a busy career between composing, teaching and performing. A very prolific composer and arranger, Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem and many works for string orchestra.

In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass, and has been a featured composer at Bass-Fest for the past decade. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3 and wrote a number of impressive and innovative works for the project. He has been a judge for the British Composer Awards over the past few years and has been a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition since 1999. Recital Music is planning a major festival of Tony Osborne's music in 2012, to celebrate the composer's 65th birthday, and has formulated a 10-year project to publish all his works for double bass.
www.tony-osborne.com