Listening to solo DB albums, no backing, just one bass player

[Rob MacKillop]

The Tiny Desk concert by Renaud Garcia-Fons starts with some radical bow playing. Thanks for the suggestion. 

[Hellzero]

So, I firstly took a look at the 20+ albums of Renaud Garcia-Fons and focused on pure solo double bass ones.

 

Right now, listening to his first album called Légendes with bow on each and every tune.

 

Will then listen again to the live performance album simply called Solo, the Marcevol concert, but these two albums are the art of extensive use of the soloed double bass.

[Hellzero]

Rob, did you notice that Renaud Garcia-Fons only uses a 5 strings double bass?

[Hellzero]

5 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

Classical

 

Thomas de Hartmann – Orchestral Music, Volume Two Symphonie-Poème Nr. 1, Op. 50 + Fantaisie-concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra, Op. 65

Hans Werner Henze – Works For Double Bass

Peter Maxwell Davies -

Strathclyde Concertos Nr.7 & 8

These are the correct record titles for ease of finding. 😉

 

And to be complete: Hans Werner Henze wrote a few pieces for double bass, including the Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra and the solo work San Biagio 9 Agosto ore 12.07. He also authorized an arrangement of his Serenade for solo double bass, originally for cello, and the Trauer-Ode, which was adapted for six double basses from its original for six cellos.

[Hellzero]

The two Renaud Garcia-Fons albums are truly excellent, and yes everything is done using a double bass, even the percussions...

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes, I noticed he had a 5-string bass. First string at C? 

 

Strathclyde Concertos - that's right. I saw the first performance of number 7. I loved it, but most of the audience seem to have lost the ability to move their arm muscles to clap at the end. 

[Hellzero]

8 hours ago, Rob MacKillop said:

First string at C? 

Indeed, high C to be able to play in the high register like a cello or a guitar and sometimes so high he's close to a violin.

[DS287]

Check out anything by Phronesis and Jasper Hoiby.

[Rob MacKillop]

Will do, DS. Never heard of them. 

[Bilbo]

There is a great album by Barre Phillips and Dave Holland as well as Holland's Emerald Years and Ones All. 

[knirirr]

Here's my favourite piece from an excellent album:
 

 

[BaBaRe]

On 08/10/2025 at 20:46, Burns-bass said:

Hi Rob, I’ve come to classical bass relatively late (44) but I’ve been loving it. Personally I really enjoy the baroque stuff as it’s very logical but also undoubtedly beautiful.

 

This may not be the vibe you’re after, but I’ve loved my ongoing journey.

 

I have a PDF of a wonderful baroque bass book which I can share if you’d like it? They sound amazing on double bass and would be as really rewarding on your new Godin.

 

Best 

I'd love that pdf, if you don't mind sharing!

[BaBaRe]

Edgar Meyer's recordings of Bach's cello suites are sublime as well!

 

I also enjoy David Friesen's modern approach, and Glen Moore's bass compositions.