Grand Duo Concertante for violin, bass, and piano; Giovanni Bottesini

Grand Duo Concertante for violin, bass, and piano by Giovanni Bottesini

• Edited by Josef Gingold and Stuart Sankey. Published by International

Giovanni Bottesini (1821-89) was one of the most remarkable virtuosos of the 19th century. He was the Romantic era's foremost double bass soloist and composer for the instrument, responsible for greatly extending its technical and expressive possibilities thru concertos, bravura works, and salon pieces, much as Paganini did for the violin. He was also a respected conductor of Italian opera, known for playing virtuosic fantasies on popular opera themes on his bass during intermissions.

Bottesini's early, highly virtuosic ''Gran Duo Concertante'' was originally written for two basses and orchestra. His student Camillo Savori later arranged and expanded one of the bass parts for violin, resulting in this version for violin, bass, and orchestra, which is the best known. This International Edition reduction was edited by violinist Josef Gingold and bassist Stuart Sankey. Includes performing scores for violin, bass, and piano. Master level, grade 6.