Simon Garcia writes: "Reflections" is a new work for unaccompanied double bass commissioned by Dan Styffe. He asked me about to write a piece with a lyrical and soulful character and with some challenges for the player. In one movement it starts with a melodic line supported by a low grace pedal note that will be developed from medium-low to high sounds.
The second part maintains the lyrical feel with a new melody played pizzicato where I play with resonances making a melody with accompaniment differentiated. To finish there is a new section where the rhythm is the protagonist creating a a sequence that resolves the thematic material of the first part as a recapitulation.
The result is a piece that reveals the lyrical capabilities of the player."
"...a fascinating miniature..." [Rob Nairn, ISB Journal]
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 thirty 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.
