Obscure Music Monday: Glière's 2 Morceaux for Double Bass
Reinhold Moritzevich Glière (Jan. 11, 1875 - June 23, 1956) was a Russian/Soviet composer and violinist born in Kiev, of German-Polish descent. Son of a wind instrument maker, Glière showed talent as a child, and entered the Kiev School of Music in 1891, studying the violin. In 1894 he entered the Moscow Conservatory, and graduated in 1900, after composing a one act opera entitled "Earth and Heaven", and winning a gold medal for it. Glière would later go on to teach in many conservatories, including those of Kiev and Moscow.
Glière's output as a composer was largely for orchestra, or operas and ballets, but he did also write some instrumental solos, including his 2 Morceaux for Double Bass. (later on he wrote two more works for the double bass) Glière was friends with the great Russian double bassist Serge Koussevitsky, for whom these works were composed, and it's likely that Koussevitsky used them as encores on various recitals he gave.
The piece is comprised of two movements: Intermezzo, and Tarantella. The Intermezzo is a highly lyrical work in which the double bassists spends a lot of time in the upper register. Octave leaps, chromatic lines, and a romantic feel make for enjoyable listening. Many double bassists go immediately in to the Tarantella, which is as difficult as the Intermezzo is beautiful. In this movement the double bassist jumps around the high register, navigates many different chromatic lines, and outlines chords, all at a near frantic tempo. It's an entertaining and wild ride for both performer and listener!
Here are some recordings of this work for you to enjoy!
I look forward to your Obscure Music Mondays, and enjoy reading about the composer you've chosen and listening to the selected piece of music.
Although I know the works of many composers, it's always a delight to discover an "obscure" piece that's new for me. Your choice of Gliére, one of my favorite composers, and his Double Bass Intermezzo, prompted me to tell you that I appreciate the research that you share through the Obscure Music Mondays e-newletter. I am a pianist, who plays 1 piano-4 hands duets and 2-piano music with two partners, just for the pleasure and challenge of playing together. I would be delighted if you might include some obscure duet & 2-piano music from time to time in your newsletter.
Gliére's piano duet music would be a good "obscure" source.
Best wishes, Barbara Smith