Double Poem Basso II is dedicated to David Heyes and Dan Styffe, is subtitled 'In Memory of Frantisek Posta', and was composed in 2009 on the 90th anniversary of Professor Posta's birth in 1919. It was commissioned by David Heyes, with funds provided by LUSES in Helsinki, and premiered on 4 October 2009 during Bass-Fest @ Wells at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) by David Heyes and Teppo Hauta-aho, who had both studied with Frantisek Posta in Prague - Hauta-aho in the 1960s and Heyes in the 1980s.

For over 40 years, Frantisek Posta was the revered Principal Bass of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and was an important figure in Czech music for much of that time. He played as a soloist, gave masterclasses worldwide and commissioned and promoted many Czech works for double bass.

Double Poem Basso II is based on Frantisek Posta's name and is primarily cast in the form of a soloist and accompanist. Double Bass 1 plays primarily in the higher register, contrasting lyrical and dramatic melodic interest above a jazzy and pizzicato bass line. Jazz and contemporary idioms create a welath of sounds and tone colours which are typical of the atmospheric and evocative music by this prolific Finnish composer.

In one extended movement and lasting around 10 minutes, this offers much to the adventurous and enquiring bass duo exploring the many tonal and timbral landscapes of this unique Finnish composer.

Double Poem Basso (in memory of Frantisek Posta) was recorded by David Heyes and Joe Prindl on the CD 'Postcards from Prague' for PrimaFACIE records (PFCD040), released on 2 March 2016 and available on Amazon, itunes and spotify on 10 May 2016. Copies of the CD are available from doublebass@tiscali.co.uk

Two playing scores are included.