Concertino for Double Bass and Piano by Hans Bichels - Intermediate Level 7-8, 19th Century Theme and Variations, Recital Music Edition

Ideal for the intermediate bassist, this introduction, theme and variations remains primarily in bass clef, apart from a few easy harmonic passages, and utilises well the orchestral range of the double bass. Composed at the end of the 19th-century, there are opportunities to display musical and technical prowess and this is useful as both recital and educational use. Tonal, traditional and straightforward, this is similar in approach and style to Eisengraber's Variations on a Favourite Styrian Folk-Song [RM253], and is a useful introduction to the 'easy virtuoso' repertoire. The Concertino is a smaller version of the concerto, usually inone extended movement and is for a solo instrument with piano or orches tral accompaniment. Hans Bichels' Concertino is typical of the music at the end of the 19th-century and utilises much of the working orchestral register of the double bass. The theme and variations format divides thework into well defined and distinct sections, with a supportive accompa niment. A dramatic piano introduction leads directly into the landler-like theme (in C major), and its simple harmonic structure lends itself tothe variation form. Three variations follow and a short and dramatic re citative leads into a lively and rhythmic finale. There is much scope for the intermediate bassist to display both musical and technical prowessin a work of character and invention. Very little is known about Hans Bichels, who is likely to be a 19th-century bassist-composer, but this new edition takes the name of Bichels into the 21-st century and to a newaudience. Performance Level: 7;8 Concertino Composer: Hans Bichels Publisher: Recital Music Instrument: Double Bass