Niek de Groot & Catherine Klipfel - Brahms, Gubaidulina, Hindemith & Vasks: Sonatas for Double Bass (2015)

Tracklist

01. Sonata for Piano & Violincello in E Minor, Op. 38: I. Allegro non troppo
02. Sonata for Piano & Violincello in E Minor, Op. 38: II. Allegretto quasi Menuetto-Trio
03. Sonata for Piano & Violincello in E Minor, Op. 38: III. Allegro
04. Sonata for Double Bass & Piano
05. Double Bass Sonata: I. Allegretto
06. Double Bass Sonata: II. Scherzo
07. Double Bass Sonata: III. Molto Adagio-Recitativo-IV. Lied
08. Sonata for Solo Double Bass: I. Monologo
09. Sonata for Solo Double Bass: II. Fantasia
10. Sonata for Solo Double Bass: III. Toccata
11. Sonata for Solo Double Bass: IV. Melodia



I search for new frontiers in music. The double bass is a fantastic and unique vehicle! My goal is transcending my instrument. In performing, I always feel more a musician as a double bassist. Niek de Groot is a leading classical double-bassist. In 2010 he found the supreme instrument to give his style voice in the Amati double bass made in Cremona, 1680. Niek has been given the lifelong privilege to play this famous and only remaining double bass from that era. Following his formal studies Niek further developed his skills at the Canadian Banff Centre for the Arts. In addition he gained inspiration in attending master classes especially with cellists Frans Helmerson, Lluìs Claret and Laurence Lesser and in close collaborations with Leonard Bernstein, Mstislav Rostropovich, Vladimir Mendelsohn and György Sebök. The style Niek has developed allows him to also use the double bass as an integral solo instrument. At the same time, in working closely with modern composers like Kurtàg and Stockhausen, he contributed to the development of new and contemporary double-bass repertoire. Until 2006 Niek held principal double bass positions in many ensembles throughout Europe. Among them a 10 year tenure as principal with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Since then he has dedicated his career to performing chamber music and solo performances and plays the Amati to a growing worldwide audience. From 1996 Niek has been teaching as a senior professor at the Folkwang University of Arts in Essen, Germany. He teaches master classes regularly, with many of his students currently holding positions in Europe's finest orchestras.

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