Bass mettle

Five major players Domenico Dragonetti (17631846) History’s first known double bass soloist, the Venice-born player spent much of his life in London where he met Haydn. He also journeyed to Vienna and impressed Beethoven with his playing.

Pedro Valls (1865-1935) Virtuoso, composer and founder of the Catalan school of double bass playing, Valls was taught by José Roveda, himself a student of Bottesini, then in turn taught Josep Cerverabret, who composed more than 60 double bass works. Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951) Celebrated as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1924-49), the Russian-born conductor started his career as a double bass virtuoso, performing across Europe and composing a concerto for his instrument.

Rodion Azarkhin (19312007) Renowned for his visceral performances and transcriptions, the Russian virtuoso’s technical prowess and innovation helped to expand the double bass’s scope.

Gary Karr (b1941)

In 1962, Karr (pictured above) sprang to fame as a soloist in a televised

New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Henze and Schuller have composed concertos for him.