SKU: A0.809714

A concerto for Double Bass and orchestra in the traditional fast - slow – fast concerto format. While not overly challenging for the bass soloist, it does explore, to a degree, the upper reaches of the instrument as well as sounding the beautiful low range.   The first movement is that might be called Neo – Classical, opening with an 8-measure solo in a Largo or slow tempo.  The tempo then changes to Allegro (fast) for the balance of the movement.  The movement ends as it began with the double bass playing alone. The second movement is a jazz waltz.  In 9/8, it opens with the soloist playing pizzicato against a rhythmic cord progression. The bass and cello sections pick this up to provide a ground upon which the balance of the movement is played over. The second movement is in the relative minor of Bb which is G minor. A haunting melody is introduced by the bass and doubled by the strings. This melody is replayed by various instruments as the Bass Soloist plays variations on this theme. The harp and the bass solo end the movement.   The third movement leans toward French Impressionism.  This movement is Andantino; however, it is a spirited. Written in cut time, where the half note equals 92 beats per minute. The melody is introduced by the woodwinds with the harp accompanying. The strings and brass join in as the woodwinds repeat the melody. Finally, the bass solo takes charge of the melody using it as a theme and variation. The harp is used extensively in this concerto providing harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic support for the bass. Written in 2015, the concerto is a new work, however, it is not experimental music. It uses the standard orchestral instruments playing in the standard fashion. It is replete with modern harmonic sounds and chord progressions.

As concerto's go, this one is not overly difficult providing the bassist with a starting point as a soloist.  It does require the soloist to have some mastery over the instrument as the music traverses most of the instrument’s range.  Performance time is approximately 13 minutes and 10 seconds. 

SKU: A0.809761

A concerto for two double basses. Approximately 19 minutes and 36 seconds in length.  This work explores the full range of the bass.  As in the other two concertos for bass, the harp plays a significant roll throughout the work providing a harmonic backdrop on which the basses play.  Conceived as a conversation between the two soloists, their parts interweave, calling and answering each other.  The orchestra is interwoven with the basses to add contrast and color.  The Double Concerto in B Minor should be interesting to both performer and audience.

SKU: A0.927995

Composed in June & July 2020 & completed on the 19th July 2020. As a former Double Bass player, I thought it was about time a composed a concerto for my former instrument. The Concerto uses a relatively small orchestra (Flute, Oboe, Cor Anglais, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, 2 Horns, Timpani, Harp & Strings), the string section should not be too large, 8,8,6,6,3, would be a preferable size. The solo Double Bass doesn't have a large amount of carrying power & so the dynamics for the soloist are marked up, as the MIDI playback isn't great for a solo Bass, the soloist's dynamics have been notched up still further in places for MIDI playback purposes, but can be adjusted down in concert performance. The bass clef has largely been used for the solo purely because the tenor clef option sounds an octave too high on the Musescore program. The Concerto is in 3 movements and about 17 minutes in duration.
Parts are available upon request.

SKU: A0.809759

A more challenging work for the double bass and orchestra than the Concerto in Bb Major.  Rhythmic with interesting melodies and harmonies the Concerto in A Minor gives the soloist an opportunity to display his / her facility on the double bass while remaining interesting to a wide cross-section of listeners.  The harp plays a major roll in this work setting the harmonic background on which the bass plays over.  Set in the standard fast / slow / fast arrangement of movements in the traditional concerto format.  The approximate performance length is 15 minutes and 44 seconds.  The full range of the standard double bass is explored. Piano reduction available separately.  See my publisher page on this website.  Email to: musicbyrobertproctor@hotmail.com.

SKU: A0.932543

CONCERTO FOR DOUBLE BASS
composed by
JAMES BERSEY

INCLUDES:
1) Solo double bass part (& cadenza, as performed by the composer 2017)
2) Complete set of orchestral parts
3) Full score
Version for Double bass & Piano is also available from Sheetmusic Plus:
ITEM ID: S0.1162305

PRINTING:
Parts:
Select each part, set your printer to A4 booklet, paper size A3
and fold each part into an A4 booklet. No staples or binding required.
Score:
Either read from device, or print off onto A4 back-to-back or fit to A3 back-to-back & bind.

COPYRIGHT
International copyright secured.

LICENCES
for public performances, recordings or broadcasts are available from
PRS for Music (UK),
ASCAP (USA)
and all other global affiliated Performing Rights Organisations.