Mieczysław Weinberg - Sonata for Solo Double Bass, op. 108 (1971)

Sonata op. 108 (1971) for solo double bass Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-1926) 0:00 Title 0:05 Mvt. I 3:44 Mvt. II 6:08 Mvt. III 8:32 Mvt. IV 10:03 Mvt. V 13:55 Mvt. VI Performer: Joel Quarrington, Double Bass Recording: Joel Quarrington: Garden Scene. Modica Music, 2009. (Original audio source:    • Sonata For Solo Contrabass, Op. 108: I. Ad...  ) NOTE: There are slight discrepancies between the score and the performance, due to a difference between available editions and the original manuscript. The Sonata for Solo Double Bass, written in 1971, is the only one of its kind among his collection of instrumental sonatas. In six short movements, it is reminiscent of a Bach suite. The first movement, with its building arpeggios, captures the expository character of a Bachian prelude. The scherzo-like second movement seesaws precipitously between intervals. The third movement is a rustic dance – a carnival whirl or drinking song, perhaps – that periodically evaporates in jittery trails. The fourth movement is in a contrasting vein: as delicate a waltz as the burly instrument can offer. The fifth is a ponderous but lyrical, the solo voice navigating a remarkable trajectory of singing, snarling, and growling. The sixth movement is the most virtuosic, barreling through a hodgepodge of motives and rhythmic figures. The music of Mieczysław Weinberg (1919 – 1996) is among some of the 20th century's greatest hidden treasures. Born in Poland, Weinberg emigrated to Russia in perilous circumstances, where he was to live out the rest of his days half-way between deserved fame and unjustified neglect. Often seen in the shadow of his close friend Dimitry Shostakovich, by whom he was regarded as one of the most outstanding composers of the day, Weinberg is slowly being rediscovered as a 20th century genius, a figure of immense significance in the landscape of post-modern classical music. Weinberg's musical idiom stylistically mixes traditional and contemporary forms, combining a freely tonal, individual language inspired by Shostakovich with ethnic (Jewish, Polish, Moldovian) influences and a unique sense of form, harmony and colour. His prolific output includes no less than 17 string quartets, over 20 large-scale symphonies, numerous sonatas for solo stringed instruments and piano as well as operas and film-scores. With the constant stream of recordings, score publications and concerts over the last decade, many of these gems have been unearthed to finally receive the critical praise and attention they deserve. Sources: Kemmerling, Zoe. “Weinberg: Sonata for Double Bass, Opus 108.” Programs notes for Boston Symphony Chamber Players at Tanglewood. Boston Symphony Chamber Players. Stockbridge, Massachusetts: Seiji Ozawa Hall, July 5, 2018. http://www.music-weinberg.net/ Request a video here: https://forms.gle/EWyyqpGpVgEtnZjJ9 The videos on this channel are intended solely for educational purposes. I do not own the rights to the score or the performance. If, for any reason, any person or entity feels that this video is in violation of their copyright, please contact us immediately at [email protected] before submitting a copyright claim to YouTube, and we will do our best to remove the video as soon as possible.