The Transcriptions Series series
Recital Music publish a wealth of original works for double bass alongside a popular, accessible and growing range of transcriptions for bassists of all ages and abilities. Most transcriptions published by Recital Music are by David Heyes, who has a successful and proven track record when arranging for double bass.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is the most common English title of the final movement of the cantata 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben' BWV 147 composed in 1716 and revised in 1723. Written during his first year in Leipzig, this chorale movement is one of Bach's most enduring and popular works. A transcription for solo piano by the English pianist Myra Hess (1890–1965) was published in 1926 and the movement has probably been transcribed for every instrument and every instrumental combination.
This present edition was arranged for double bass octet in 2007 by David Heyes. Quartet 1 (basses 1-4) play the contrapuntal orchestral music, contrasting quartet 2 (basses 5-8) who perform the slow and stately chorale passages. There are musical and technical challenges, particularly for Bass 1 and the arrangement would suit a youth orchestra bass section or a college bass department who are looking for music which is interesting to both rehearse and perform.
Not for the purists, but wonderful music and now available for double bass octet for the first time.
