Sofia Gubaidulina’s Eight Studies for Double Bass
Michael Fuller shows off the expressive range of the bass in three etudes.
LA Phil Resident Fellow Michael Fuller is excited to share the challenging music he’s been working on during our Covid confinement. Here are three contrasting movements drawn from a set of etudes (study pieces) for solo double bass by Sofia Gubaidulina, one of the world’s pre-eminent composers from Tatar Russia. The title of each study describes what technique is being highlighted: 1. Staccato – legato (short notes and long, connected notes), 3. Espressivo – Sotto voce (expressive and quiet playing), and 6. Al tallone – Da punta d’arco (played with the bow near the frog [nearest the bow hand] vs. played with the bow at its tip.)
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