The Bottesini Duo

Bottesini Duo

Ian Webber - double bass
Andres Alvarez de la Ruiz - piano

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    The Bottesini Duo

    The Bottesini Duo have swept aside concert-goers preconceptions of the double bass. For too long the instrument has been languishing away at the back of the orchestra - its praises unsung, its potential unrealised. The Bottesini Duo´s extensive research into the repertory however, has unearthed over 700 works for the instrument, much of it hitherto unexplored. They are the only double bass and piano duo playing music specifically written for their combination, rather than transcriptions.

    The Duo have performed widely throughout Britain, and made a successful Wigmore Hall debut in June 1990. The Duo have also toured Scotland with the assistance of the Scottish Arts Council, while in 1989, they presented 'Maestro Bottesini´s Double Bass Extravaganza´- a centenary celebration of the life and times of the 19th century bassist - given at the Purcell Room (London), the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and other venues. In May 1991, the Duo performed at the Mittenwald International Double Bass Week.

    Programme Suggestions

  • The Bottesini Duo Entertains - A light, enjoyable and fun selection of music that includes Kodaly´s Gypsy miniatures, salon pieces by Koussevitzky, the stunning virtuosity of Bottesini´s La Sonnambula and Tom Johnson´s very humorous 'Failing'.
  • 20th Century Music for Double Bass and Piano - explores a fascinating diversity of styles for the combination. Music by Hindemith, Napoli, Hauta-aho, Rabbath and several new works especially written for the Bottesini Duo.
  • Maestro Bottesini's Double Bass Extravaganza - a celebration of the extraordinary life and times of the 19th century double bass virtuoso, composer and conductor.
  • An Introduction to the Double Bass - a presentation for schools in music and words which explodes the myth of the 'growling, grumbling double bass'. Virtuoso works are included and some of the younger members of the audience are invited to try their hand at the instrument. Indeed many children have been encouraged to take up the double bass after hearing the Duo. They conclude with a question and answer session.

    Reviews

  • The Strad - "a fascinating and entertaining opportunity to bring a selection of this delightful oeuvre to a wider audience... Indeed in the encore, Webber´s tone blossomed out into a rich cantabile."
  • The Guardian - "It was evident from a packed Purcell Room on Tuesday that the craft of Giovanni Bottesini still draws the crowds... the instrument can sing... the soloist strikes up on harmonics like a bass singer in wig and falsetto, before swooping down to the instrument's natural range to dispatch a dazzling series of variations, Paganini style. It was all done with tremendous charm."
  • The Musical Opinion - "the delicacy and flexibility displayed by Ian Webber on this most unlikely of solo instruments delighted his audience. He displayed an agility and lightness many sopranos would envy."
  • The Oxford Times - "Altogether it was a remarkable feat of quite exceptional playing, executed with what appeared to be total ease and control, relaxed beauty in the more relaxed passages."
  • Eastern Daily Press - "except for Mr Webber, there are no double-bass players around who can rise to the challenge... The dumpy old bass will never be the same again."

    Bottesini Duo