Double Bass Concerto No. 2 (Bottesini)

Concerto No. 2 in B Minor
by Giovanni Bottesini
The composer
Key	B Minor
Period	Romantic
Composed	1845 (1845)
Duration	20 minutes
Movements	3
Scoring	Double Bass and Orchestra

Double Bass Concerto No. 2 in B Minor is a work for double bass and orchestra by Giovanni Bottesini.^[1] The piece runs approximately 20 minutes.

Background

Double Bass Concerto No. 2 has become one of the most performed works for double bass, dated to 1845 but would not be published until 1925.^[2] The composer, having learned bass out of convenience, was heavily inspired by Italian operas and wrote six of his own.^[3]

The concerto is composed in the typical romantic style with the orchestra and soloist playing equal rolls, switching between melody and support. The first movement consists of a short introduction, after which the bass takes on a lyrical bel canto style. Bottesini imitates the human voice closely, utilizing both soprano and bass ranges. The second movement is characterized by dramatic, unexpected dynamic changes and the incorporation of the Italian lament style. The third movement is a bravura with an excited temperament.^[4]

Structure

As is typical of concertos, the work contains three movements:^[1]

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro

Recordings

• Rinat Ibragimov (musician) Double Bass, January 12, 2012. [1]
• Edgar Myer Double Bass, March 10, 2018. [2]
• Timothy Cobb Double Bass, May 30, 2020 [3]
• Mikyung Sung Double Bass, Nov 16, 2021. [4]

References

1. "Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor (Bottesini, Giovanni) - IMSLP". imslp.org. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
2. "Double Bass Concerto No. 2 - The Broadway Bach Ensemble". www.broadwaybach.org. 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
3. "Giovanni Bottesini Concerto No. 2 in B minor for Double Bass and Orchestra" (PDF). Retrieved 14 June 2024.
4. Vasilistov, Dmitriy. "A MASTER'S RECITAL IN DOUBLE BASS" (PDF). Retrieved 14 June 2024.