Valse for Bert is essentially a rhapsodic and inventive monologue for solo double bass with the briefest of an introduction and coda for flute. Composed for husband and wife duo, Bert and Nancy Turetzky, this one-movement work has a lyrical approach contrasting pizzicato and arco with brief snatches of contemporary styles and idioms.

The flute part could be successfully played by any treble clef instrument, even a double bass.

The piece is lively and energetic, combining a range of styles and idioms, and creating a work of great imagination and skill from the most prolific double bass composer ever. There are musical and technical challenges in equal measure but also the opportunity to display more than simply technical prowess.