The Double Bass - Robert Oppelt & Friends

This CD features a new recording of Gunther Schuller s remarkable Quartet for Double Basses (performed by the world-class NSO bassists) and the premier recording of Charlie Barnett s popular Serenade for Double Bass. Dragonetti s unaccompanied Waltzes invite a more personal encounter with the rich sound of the bass. * * * Robert Oppelt joined the National Symphony Orchestra bass section in 1982 at the invitation of Music Director Mstislav Rostropovich. He was promoted to Assistant Principal Bass in 1984 and in 1996, under Music Director Leonard Slatkin, was appointed Principal Bass. Mr. Oppelt has appeared as soloist with the NSO in performances of Mozart s Per Queste Bella Mano, Paganini s Moses Fantasy, and Koussevitsky s Concerto for Double Bass. Chamber music collaborations include performances with Yo-Yo Ma, Hillary Hahn, and Joseph Kalichstein. Product Description

A great double bass CD

This is a great double bass CD. It has variety and the playing is beautiful. And it's a bonus that part of the money goes to ALS research. Definitely worth getting! September 3, 2007

A rich, bouyant portrait of the double bass

One Saturday morning while driving on an errand, I turned on my local classical station just in time to catch Bob Oppelt playing "Serenade for Double Bass" by Charlie Barnett. It was lyrical, lovely, exuberant and irresistible. Five minutes after I got home, I had ordered a copy of the CD. :) Since then, Oppelt's "The Double Bass" has become a favorite.

Classical music lovers are used to thinking of the bass members of the orchestra--the bassoon, the tuba, and the double bass, for sure--as something of the "class clowns." Most solos seem to be amusing little interludes that we hear in between the more "serious" contributions of instruments playing in a higher register. This CD will go a long way towards changing that impression.

The double bass repertoire actually includes a rich variety of lesser known works. In the hands of a master like Oppelt, the instrument is capable of expressing a surprising range of moods and ideas. It is a revelation to hear the double bass pairing with the harp so naturally, as in Barnett's "Serenade" and as in Oppelt's own composition, "Pas De Deux for Flute & Double Bass." Those have in fact become my favorite works on this recording.

Highly recommended! August 25, 2007

The Double Bass

Oppelt and friends are supurb. This is a fantastic CD. Not all is for the faint of heart, particualrly the Gunther Shuller double bass quartet, which is beautifully played but challenging to the listener. August 23, 2007

Fantastic Music Making

Robert Oppelt performs with great sensitivity and produces a wonderfully lush sound from his Double Bass. He collaborates with a fine group of artists from the National Symphony and the results are fantastic. I especially enjoyed the Schuller Quartet which is in my opinion the definitive recording of this work. August 2, 2007

Fantastic!!

I just happened to stumble across this cd one day and decided to give it a listen. Well lets just say that I this album will not be leaving my rotation anytime soon. It is absolutely fantastic! The performances are totally flawless, but what else would you expect from members of the National Symphony Orchestra? This album is a must have for those who enjoy Double Bass music! July 7, 2007

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