Chamber music (quintets) with double bass

composerviolist · #1 03-31-2008, 05:01 AM

Greetings,
I've now written two chamber music works, quintets, that include double bass. One is a string quintet (string quartet + double bass) and the other is a mixed wind and string quintet (oboe, clarinet, violin, viola & double bass).

The first quintet is called "Tango Suite", and is a newly prepared instrumental version of the original work which I wrote for contralto and string quintet. This was commissioned by Radio France in 2002. The score and parts can be freely downloaded from my website at http://www.nigelkeay.com/stringquintettango.htm

The second quintet, called "Diversions", is the same instrumentation as the Prokofiev Quintet. I played viola in a group that performed the Prokofiev Quintet, so I wanted to create a new quintet of the same instrumentation to couple with the Prokofiev. The score of this work can also be downloaded from my site at http://www.nigelkeay.com/diversions.html

Halleho · #2 09-03-2008, 08:00 PM

can you post an audio sample?

composerviolist · #3 09-04-2008, 03:56 PM

For Tango Suite there's a recording on the string quartet version page - it's the same music so should give an idea of how it runs. I had a regular quartet so it was easier to get the recording done that way even though the quintet version is the original.

I'm rehearsing Diversions at the moment for a concert in Paris October 30th, so I'll be able to make a recording available for that immediately afterwards.

composerviolist · #4 10-29-2008, 07:09 AM

I'm posting this rehearsal recording ahead of this weeks concert to see what thoughts are about mic position and how the recording comes across so I can make any adjustments. One couple x-y directly in front of the group with a second couple just behind. Instruments were placed from L-R violin, oboe, clarinet, double bass, viola. There seems to be plenty of detail on the upper instruments.

edvon · #5 10-29-2008, 07:14 PM

Hi,
beautiful music, compliments...

We have our full orchestra concerts recorded for a local radio station with 2 mics xy roughly 2 metres in front of the stage in level with the violins. While these recordings are ok, I think you are definitely picking up more by placing one set behind (as you did).
You are right about the detail in the higher registers, you can also hear some page turns quite clearly ;-).
Now, I am not a recording engineer, but the bass seems to be rather "central" in the stereo field, is this intended, or is this just a natural thing to be happening for lower strings in a recording situation like that?
all the best, Ed

composerviolist · #6 10-31-2008, 03:56 PM

Thanks, Ed. Here is yesterday's recording (link to mp3) of Movement 1. I decided to stick with the same basic mic configuration but with the back couple closer to the bass. The centralization that you mentioned is probably a combination of several factors; the lower the frequency the less directional it will be, also it's an extremely live hall where the lower frequencies really turn around a lot on that stage area (I've recorded string orchestra there before). And also the stage area itself is a raised wooden floor which probably acts as a big resonant box underneath the bass.

About your orchestra recording, I recorded a largish orchestra some months ago with only two mics on a 2.3 metre high stand just in front of the orchestra, but the front instruments were much too present compared to those at the back. To get a balanced recording in terms of proximity it seems that the only way is to get the mics up high, or use more of them.

composerviolist · #7 10-31-2010, 02:15 AM

Hello everyone, I see it's a while since I've posted on TalkBass...

In 2009 I asked a composer friend, Jonathan Besser, to write a quintet for the oboe/clarinet/violin/viola/double bass formation, and he produced "Three Pieces from Ecstasy Suite". The score can be downloaded from http://www.contemporaryviola.com/scores.htm.

Earlier this year JB's quintet was performed along with my quintet Diversions, and both were put onto a CD available from blumlein records which is also available on itunes (follow the link to hear the previews).

Jonathan's Quintet is very tonal in its harmonic language and allows for improvised sections at the start of each movement.