The Heritage Series series
The history of the double bass features many player-composers who created a wealth of music for bassists of all abilities. Recital Music publish a wide and eclectic range of music by these important figures from the history of the instrument, particularly from the 19th and early 20th-centuries, and more works are in preparation. Some names are well known today, others almost forgotten, but each made a valuable contribution to the repertoire of the double bass and helped create a unqiue repertoire which deserves to be performed.
Achille Gouffé (1804-1874) was known as the 'French Bottesini' and was an important figure in 19th-century Parisian musical life. For 35 years he was Principal Bass of the Paris Opera Orchestra and with the Society of Conservatoire Concerts Orchestra, which is now Orchestre de Paris. For over 40 years Gouffé organised chamber music concerts at his home and thanks to him many chamber music pieces with double bass now exist (Onslow, Walckiers, Blanc). He was one of the first bassists in France to use a four-string double bass and, dissatisfied with the sound of the lowest string he developed, in collaboration with the violin maker Auguste Bernadel, a new process of double winding copper and steel, which was then universally adopted. In a newspaper article in 1849 Hector Berlioz described Gouffé as a 'master virtuoso' and his educational music is still popular in France today.
Written as a theme and variations, this would be a useful introduction to easy harmonics and low thumb position, ending with a 'Bottesini-like' flourish as the finale. The style is traditional and tonal, with a lively and independent accompaniment, and this has been very popular with adventurous students who want to venture into the 'easy' solo repertoire.
Orchestral tuning only.
An edition with string ensemble accompaniment is in preparation.
Sicilienne has been selected for inclusion on the Advanced Certificate repertoire list by Trinity-Guildhall exams.
Performance Level: 8;Advanced
