Carnegie Mellon Libraries: Music: Double Bass Guide

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Double Bass Guide

Created by Douglas Nestler, Masters student in double bass performance, Fall 2004. Updated by Elisabeth La Foret, Fall 2005.

These are examples of the library's collection; it is by no means intended to be an exhaustive list. I have made a special effort to include some examples of the lesser-known repertoire and recordings in the library's collection that I think are worth knowing about. Ask at the arts reference desk, directly in front of the door to the 4th floor, if you need help finding anything, whether it is listed here or not. Also, feel free to email Kristin Heath, the Music & Catalog Librarian, or speak with the librarian at the reference desk with suggestions of materials for the library to purchase. Do not hesitate to make suggestions.

Cameo Search Tips

To find recordings or music not listed here, go to the Library main page, click Cameo, and click complex search. Put double bass in the search box next to "word or phrase" (if you are searching for recordings of solo bass; otherwise put whatever instrument or ensemble is relavent), and under "item type" select recording or score. If you are looking for a specific piece and/or performer, it is best to still put "double bass" in the box next to word or phrase and the piece or performer in another box. Select "word or phrase" next to this second box if you are searching by performer, "author" if searching by composer, and "title" if you are looking for the specific title of the piece.

When searching in Cameo, if you come across an item with the call number Double Bass (or any other instrument or ensemble name), ask at the Music Listening and Slides Department desk, located at the back of the 4th floor of Hunt Library; these items are kept in a storage room, and can easily be retrieved upon request.
Reference
Solos
Concerti
Orchestral Excerpts & Parts
Etudes & Method Books
Chamber Music with Bass
Recordings
Helpful Links

Reference

Author Title Call Number

Brun, Paul A History of the Double Bass (Morrel, Lynn and Paul Brun, trans.) 787.5 B89H STACKS-4

Drew, Lucas The notation of harmonics for double bass: a guide to the orchestral bass parts of Maurice Ravel in simplified chart form Double Bass MUS-FILE-4

Grodner, Murray Comprehensive Catalog of Music, Books, Recordings and Videos for the Double Bass
ML128 .D72 G8 2000
FA-REF-4

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Sheet Music

Hunt Library, 4th floor in the oversized stacks, next to the Music Listening and Slides Office. Call numbers 787.5 B11C ZM (Zimmerman Complete J. S. Bach) through 787.5193 S49S SLA (George Vance's Sevcik bow exercises)

SOLOS

Composer Title Call Number

Ameller, Andre Concertino, for string bass and piano 784.275 A49C I 1 OFFSITE BY REQUEST

Askim, Peter Edge 787.5 A83E DIM OVRSZQ-4

Askim, Peter Eight Solitudes for bass and piano 787.5 A83ES DIM OVRSZQ-4

Bach, J.S. Suite no. 1 in G major for solo double bass DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4

Bach, J.S. Suite no. 3, BWV 1009 for double bass 787.5 B11S3 SLA OVRSZQ-4

Bach, J.S. Suite no. 4, BWV 1010 for double bass 787.5 B11S4 SLA OVRSZQ-4

Bach, J.S. Suite no. 5, BWV 1011 for double bass 787.5 B11S5 SLA OVRSZQ-4

Bach, J.S. Suite no. 6, BWV 1012 for solo double bass 787.5 B11S6 SLA OVRZQ-4

Bloch, Ernest. Prayer for double bass and piano DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO MUS-FILE-4

Bottesini, Giovanni Yorke Complete Bottesini, Vol I 787.5 B75W YO VOL. 1 OVRSZQ-4

Dragonetti, Domenico The famous solo in E minor, for double bass and piano 787.5 D75S YO OVRSZQ-4

Fryba, Hans Suite im alten stil (Suite in the olden style) 787.5 F94S WEI OVRSZQ-4

Hartley, Keith Nine pieces from Double bass solo DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4

Henze, Hans Werner S. Biagio 9 Agosto ore 1207 - Ricordo per un contrabasso solo DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4

Hindemith, Paul Pieces for solo double bass (1927) 7787.5 H662S SC OVRSZQ-4

Iadone, Joseph Sonata for double bass and piano 787.5 I11S SLA OVRSZQ-4

Johnson, Tom Failing - a very difficult piece for solo string bass 787.5 J69F TWP OVRSZQ-4

Laska, Gustav Perpetual motion for double bass and piano 787.5 L34P BEL OVRSZQ-4

Laska, Gustav Wiegenlied, op. 28 787.5 L34W SLA OVRSZQ-4

Maw, Nicholas The old king's lament 787.5 M46O YO OVRSZQ-4

Paganini, Nicolo (transcribed by Oscar G. Zimmerman) Variations on a theme from "Moses" by Rossini 787.5 P12S ZM 1 OVRSZQ-4

Ozawa, Hisato Monologue for double bass and piano DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO MUS-FILE-4

Persichetti, Vincent Parable XVII for solo double bass, op. 131 787.5 P46P EV OVRSZQ-4

Proto, Frank Caprice for solo double bass DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4

Proto, Frank A Carmen Fantasy for double bass and piano 787.5 P96C LIB OVERSZQ-4

Rabbath, Francois Solos for the double bassist 787.5 R11SA LIB OVRSZQ-4

Ramsier, Paul Divertimento concertante on a theme of Couperin 784.275 R18D S OFFSITE BY REQUEST

Walker, Nicholas EADG for solo double bass 787.5 W18E RFT OVRSZQ-4

Zbinden, Julien Fran�ois Hommage � J. S. Bach f�r Kontrabass-Solo 787.5 Z39H BRH OVRSZQ-4

CONCERTI

Composer Title Call Number

Bottesini, Giovanni Concerto no. 2 in A minor 784.275 B75C YO OVRSZQ-4

Capuzzi, Giuseppe Antonio Concerto for the double bass 784.275 C25C BH OVRSZQ-4

Cimador, Giovanni Battista Concerto in G Major 784.275 C57C YO OFFSITE BY REQUEST

Dragonetti, Domenico Concerto in A Major 787.5 D75C I 1 OVRSZQ-4

Francaix, Jean Concerto for double bass 784.275 F81C SC OVRSZQ-4

Handel, George Frideric Concerto in G minor 784.275 H23L BEL OVRSZQ-4

Koussevitsky, Serge Concerto, op. 3, for string bass and piano 784.275 K88C I OVRSZQ-4

Lancen, Serge Concerto, pour contrebasse et orchestre � cordes 787.5 L24C BIL OVRSZQ-4

Simandl, Franz Concerto, op 75 784.275 S58C BEL OVRSZQ-4

Vivaldi, Antonio Concerto in F Major 784.275 V85E LIB OVRSZQ-4

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ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS & PARTS

Composer Title Call Number

Reincke, Gerd, ed. Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions 787.5 K82 Sc

Zimmerman, Oscar Complete double bass parts for: Mahler Symphonies 1-5 787.5 M21S ZM

Zimmerman, Oscar Complete double bass parts for: Selected Romantic Symphonies 787.5 Z72CO ZM

Zimmerman, Oscar Complete double bass parts for: Selected Works of Joh. Seb. Bach 787.5 B11C ZM

Zimmerman, Oscar Complete double bass parts for: Selected Symphonies of Mendelssohn, Schubert and Schumann 787.5 Z72COM ZM

Zimmerman, Oscar Complete double bass parts for: Thirty-Six Overtures 787.5 Z72C ZM

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ETUDES & METHOD BOOKS

Composer Title Call Number

Bottesini, Giovanni (Rodney Slatford, ed.) Method for Double Bass 787.5077 B75M YO VOL. 1

Bottesini, Giovanni (H. Samuel Sterling, ed.) Exercises for the double bass after Kreutzer 787.5193 B75E AU

Portnoi, Henry Creative Bass Technique 787.5193 P85C HR

Rabbath, Francois La Nouvelle Technique de la Contrabasse (3 volumes) 787.5077 R11N LED VOL. 1-3

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CHAMBER MUSIC WITH BASS

Composer Title Call Number

Beethoven, Ludwig van Septet (violin, viola, cello, bass, horn, clarinet, bassoon) 785.42197 B41S I

Dvorak, Antonin Quintet (bass and string quartet) On order

Hindemith, Paul Duo for Double Bass and Bassoon Bindery

Prokofiev, Sergei Quintet (violin, viola, bass, oboe and clarinet) 785.44195 P96Q I VIOLA

Saint-Saëns, Camille Septet (2 violins, viola, cello, bass trumpet, piano) 785.25197 S15S I OVRSZQ-4

Schubert, Franz Trout Quintet (piano quartet and bass) Kalmus Edition: 785.28195 S38Q D.667 K
Peters edition: 785.28195 S38TR P

Vaughan Williams, Ralph Quintet (piano quartet and bass) 785.28195 V37P FA INTRANSIT

Wuorunen, Charles Spinoff (violin, bass and congas) 785.58193 W96S P

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Recordings

You may ask at the recording desk to have a CD made from a record; they will do this, although it may take up to a week. Also, the library may look into buying a CD of the recording so that it can be checked out. For more information, see Special Services.

Artist Title and works Call Number

Karr, Gary (Harmon Lewis, piano) Basso Cantante

Schubert, Franz. Arpeggione Sonata
Serge Rachmaninoff. Vocalise
Saint-Saens, Camille: Le Cygne
Taki, Rentardo: Kojo No Tsuki
Nova Scotian folksong: When I wake up in the morning
Three Catalonian Carols:
   El noi de la mare
   Fum Fum Fum
   El Cant Dels Ocells

#8562, CD 2353 (also see #3178, #5467, & #8478)

Ferralis, Enzo (Alda Ferraris, pianoforte) Contrabasso Recital - Music of Giovanni Bottesini

Fantasia Dalla Sonnambula
Elegia in Re Maggiore
Elegia in mi minore
"Nel cor piu non mi sento"
Concerto no. 2 in si minore
#8561

Enzo and Luigi Milani, double basses Due Grandi Duetti per due Contrabassi

Primo Grande Duetto per due contrabassi
Terzo Grande Duetto per due contrabassi
#8560

Streicher, Ludwig (Norman Shetler, piano) Ludwig Streicher Spielt Bottesini

Tarantella a-moll
Melodie e-moll
Allegretto Capricioso fis-moll
Elegie D-dur
Cappriccio di Bravura A-dur
Introduction e Gavotte A-dur
Grande Allegro di Concerto
#8559 (see also &10150)

Klaus, Gunther (Radio Symphony Orchestra of Frankfurt, Hiroyuko Iwaka, conductor) Zeitgenossische Musik fur Kontrabass

Francaix, Jean: Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra
Zbinden, Julien Francois: "Hommage a Johann Sebastian Bach"
Schuller, Gunther. "Quartet for Double Bass." (with Alfred Sapper, Rudolf Neudorfer, and Timm-Johannes Trappe, double basses)
#8558

Rollez, Jean-Marc, (Chantal de Buchy, piano) Giovanni Bottesini: Works for double bass and piano.

Reverie
Fantasia on Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor"
Fantasia on Bellini's "I Puritani"
Introduction and variations on Campra's "Le Carnival de Venise"
Fantasia on Bellini's "La Sonnambula"
Melodie
#8557

VanDermark, James B. (Robert Spillman, piano) Music for Double Bass

Bottesini, Elegie
Gliere, Four Pieces

Misek Sonata # 2 in e minor
#5782

Goilav, Yoan (with the Streichensemble Winterhur) Musik fur Kontrabass

Montag, Extreme fur kontrabass und klavier
Bloch, Prayer for kontrabass und klavier
Duettini Concertati per violino e contrabasso
   Alla Marcia
   Elegie (Andante)    Capriccio (Andante-Allegro)
Lancen, Concerto pour Contrebasse et Cordes
   1er movement
   Final

Sperger, Sonata due per viola e contrabasso
   Allegro Moderato
   Adagio quasi andante
   Rondo-Allegro
#8552 (see also &035;8553 and #8554)

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Helpful Links

Sheet music dealers:

Theodore Front
http://www.tfront.com/searchresults.php? qstring=Double+Bass&qformat=MU

Liben Publishing Company:
http://www.liben.com/Chamber.html

Discordia Music:
http://www.discordia-music.com/

Performers / Composers:

Peter Askim:
www.peteraskim.com

Rodion Azarkhin:
http://members.aol.com/donearlsto/stringacademy/bassplayerpage.html

Gary Karr:
www.garykarr.com

Frank Proto:
http://liben.com/FPBio.html

François Rabbath:
http://www.liben.com/FRBio.html

Jeff Turner:
http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/pghsymph.nsf/bios/Jeffrey+Turner

Daxun Zhang:
http://www.yca.org/zhang.html

Luthiers and instrument dealers:

Peter Kyvelos (Unique Strings, Belmont, MA):
(617) 489-1254 (no web site)

Sue Lipkins, bowmaker (Woodstock, NY)
http://www.weberscases.com/detail.cfm?menu_id=10120 (scroll past David Wiebe’s section)

Volker Nahrmann (Billerica, MA):
http://www.nahrmannbass.com/basses/home.html

Robertson’s Violin Shop (Albuquerque, NM):
http://www.robertsonviolins.com/main.html

Arnold Schnitzer (Brewster, NY):
http://www.aesbass.com/

Rosins:

Kolstein Ultra:
http://www.kolstein.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KMI&Product_Code=KR-13&Category_Code=rosin

Pops:
www.bassrosin.com

Strings:

JustStrings.com (Nashua, NH):
www.juststrings.com

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  Contact Us | Site Map | Comments
  July 17, 2008 -- http://www.library.cmu.edu/Research/Arts/Music/musibass.html
  Kristin Heath, Music & Catalog Librarian, kheath@andrew.cmu.edu
  © 2008 Carnegie Mellon Libraries

Author	Title	Call Number
Brun, Paul	A History of the Double Bass (Morrel, Lynn and Paul Brun, trans.)	787.5 B89H STACKS-4
Drew, Lucas	The notation of harmonics for double bass: a guide to the orchestral bass parts of Maurice Ravel in simplified chart form	Double Bass MUS-FILE-4
Grodner, Murray	Comprehensive Catalog of Music, Books, Recordings and Videos for the Double Bass	ML128 .D72 G8 2000 FA-REF-4

Composer	Title	Call Number
Ameller, Andre	Concertino, for string bass and piano	784.275 A49C I 1 OFFSITE BY REQUEST
Askim, Peter	Edge	787.5 A83E DIM OVRSZQ-4
Askim, Peter	Eight Solitudes for bass and piano	787.5 A83ES DIM OVRSZQ-4
Bach, J.S.	Suite no. 1 in G major for solo double bass	DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4
Bach, J.S.	Suite no. 3, BWV 1009 for double bass	787.5 B11S3 SLA OVRSZQ-4
Bach, J.S.	Suite no. 4, BWV 1010 for double bass	787.5 B11S4 SLA OVRSZQ-4
Bach, J.S.	Suite no. 5, BWV 1011 for double bass	787.5 B11S5 SLA OVRSZQ-4
Bach, J.S.	Suite no. 6, BWV 1012 for solo double bass	787.5 B11S6 SLA OVRZQ-4
Bloch, Ernest.	Prayer for double bass and piano	DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO MUS-FILE-4
Bottesini, Giovanni	Yorke Complete Bottesini, Vol I	787.5 B75W YO VOL. 1 OVRSZQ-4
Dragonetti, Domenico	The famous solo in E minor, for double bass and piano	787.5 D75S YO OVRSZQ-4
Fryba, Hans	Suite im alten stil (Suite in the olden style)	787.5 F94S WEI OVRSZQ-4
Hartley, Keith	Nine pieces from Double bass solo	DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4
Henze, Hans Werner	S. Biagio 9 Agosto ore 1207 - Ricordo per un contrabasso solo	DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4
Hindemith, Paul	Pieces for solo double bass (1927)	7787.5 H662S SC OVRSZQ-4
Iadone, Joseph	Sonata for double bass and piano	787.5 I11S SLA OVRSZQ-4
Johnson, Tom	Failing - a very difficult piece for solo string bass	787.5 J69F TWP OVRSZQ-4
Laska, Gustav	Perpetual motion for double bass and piano	787.5 L34P BEL OVRSZQ-4
Laska, Gustav	Wiegenlied, op. 28	787.5 L34W SLA OVRSZQ-4
Maw, Nicholas	The old king's lament	787.5 M46O YO OVRSZQ-4
Paganini, Nicolo (transcribed by Oscar G. Zimmerman)	Variations on a theme from "Moses" by Rossini	787.5 P12S ZM 1 OVRSZQ-4
Ozawa, Hisato	Monologue for double bass and piano	DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO MUS-FILE-4
Persichetti, Vincent	Parable XVII for solo double bass, op. 131	787.5 P46P EV OVRSZQ-4
Proto, Frank	Caprice for solo double bass	DOUBLE BASS MUS-FILE-4
Proto, Frank	A Carmen Fantasy for double bass and piano	787.5 P96C LIB OVERSZQ-4
Rabbath, Francois	Solos for the double bassist	787.5 R11SA LIB OVRSZQ-4
Ramsier, Paul	Divertimento concertante on a theme of Couperin	784.275 R18D S OFFSITE BY REQUEST
Walker, Nicholas	EADG for solo double bass	787.5 W18E RFT OVRSZQ-4
Zbinden, Julien Fran�ois	Hommage � J. S. Bach f�r Kontrabass-Solo	787.5 Z39H BRH OVRSZQ-4

Artist	Title and works	Call Number

Karr, Gary (Harmon Lewis, piano)	*Basso Cantante* Schubert, Franz. Arpeggione Sonata Serge Rachmaninoff. Vocalise Saint-Saens, Camille: Le Cygne Taki, Rentardo: Kojo No Tsuki Nova Scotian folksong: When I wake up in the morning Three Catalonian Carols: El noi de la mare Fum Fum Fum El Cant Dels Ocells	#8562, CD 2353 (also see #3178, #5467, & #8478)
Ferralis, Enzo (Alda Ferraris, pianoforte)	*Contrabasso Recital - Music of Giovanni Bottesini* Fantasia Dalla Sonnambula Elegia in Re Maggiore Elegia in mi minore "Nel cor piu non mi sento" Concerto no. 2 in si minore	#8561
Enzo and Luigi Milani, double basses	*Due Grandi Duetti per due Contrabassi* Primo Grande Duetto per due contrabassi Terzo Grande Duetto per due contrabassi	#8560
Streicher, Ludwig (Norman Shetler, piano)	*Ludwig Streicher Spielt Bottesini* Tarantella a-moll Melodie e-moll Allegretto Capricioso fis-moll Elegie D-dur Cappriccio di Bravura A-dur Introduction e Gavotte A-dur Grande Allegro di Concerto	#8559 (see also &10150)
Klaus, Gunther (Radio Symphony Orchestra of Frankfurt, Hiroyuko Iwaka, conductor)	*Zeitgenossische Musik fur Kontrabass* Francaix, Jean: Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra Zbinden, Julien Francois: "Hommage a Johann Sebastian Bach" Schuller, Gunther. "Quartet for Double Bass." (with Alfred Sapper, Rudolf Neudorfer, and Timm-Johannes Trappe, double basses)	#8558
Rollez, Jean-Marc, (Chantal de Buchy, piano)	*Giovanni Bottesini: Works for double bass and piano.* Reverie Fantasia on Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" Fantasia on Bellini's "I Puritani" Introduction and variations on Campra's "Le Carnival de Venise" Fantasia on Bellini's "La Sonnambula" Melodie	#8557
VanDermark, James B. (Robert Spillman, piano)	*Music for Double Bass* Bottesini, Elegie Gliere, Four Pieces Misek Sonata # 2 in e minor	#5782
Goilav, Yoan (with the Streichensemble Winterhur)	*Musik fur Kontrabass* Montag, Extreme fur kontrabass und klavier Bloch, Prayer for kontrabass und klavier Duettini Concertati per violino e contrabasso Alla Marcia Elegie (Andante) Capriccio (Andante-Allegro) Lancen, Concerto pour Contrebasse et Cordes 1er movement Final Sperger, Sonata due per viola e contrabasso Allegro Moderato Adagio quasi andante Rondo-Allegro	#8552 (see also &035;8553 and #8554)