Question on Fantasy Somnambula

[sforzando6]

In Gary Karr's recording of Fantasy Somnambula on Doublebass Bottesini, he plays measures 17-33 of the Tema an octave lower than written in my part (the starting note in my part is the D a fifth above the octave G harmonic, and he starts on the D a fourth below the octave G harmonic). In measures 34-49 (also of the Tema), there are some 8va's and he doesn't take any of those either. So my question is: Does he take it down an octave beacuse it sounds better in that octave, or because that's what it says in the music? If it's any help, I have the Billaudot edition. Thanks.

[dansolobass]

I know in the part I have of Fantasy Sonnambula it has that part (17-33) in the same octave that Karr plays it in. Just like with most things that have to do with the bass, there does not seem to be a firmly set way to do it as several editions are different. I have heard several different recordings of it in both octaves. My advice would be to go for what you think sounds best and perhaps learn it both ways for your enjoyment. Playing it in the higher octave is fun and not to difficult since it's mostly harmonics, playing it lower also presents different challenges. I'm not sure about the 8va's in 34-49; they are not in my part. Once again, it's probably something different in the editions and it's up to the players to figure out what they like best. I'm sure Gary just learned the piece the way he plays it, and feels it sounds best in the octaves he chose.

[bassbass]

I think part of the problem is the editions. IMC have published one, I use the Deutscher Verlag Fur Musik. Leipzig edition (by Klaus Trumpf) which is also different. Just see which one you like best. Look a the piano parts and see what makes more sense musically...
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