Double Bass Brahms 1

[sixbelow]

(((warning--board n00b speaking)))

The recording of Cleveland with Szell is an amazing recording. I think it's on Sony records so it should be easy to get.

.

the Szell is a great version, but as far as i've heard, i've found nothing that has beat this dvd of the Koln Symphony led by Semyon Bychkov of Brahms 1 and 2. Its also by far the best interpretation of 2 that i have heard/seen.

I highly suggest this DVD:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AMMSDA/104-2313720-5463147?v=glance&n=130

 

[PJEBassist]

When I look at Brahms he wrote on two different spectrums. He understood the melody and how to write soft beautiful melodies but if you're talking about when he does his basslines they always have some gusto to them. Something that makes them really special. If it's the excerpt from like the 3 movement I believe that starts on the low E and jump 3 octaves you want to be deliberate in all your notes. I think Brahms wrote almost a counterpoint type thing in his basslines alot of times. Something entirely different and lets the bass speak. That's just how I thought Brahms. I always thought he had some very cool basslines.

But with any orchestra excerpt you want to really and emphasize every little piece of chicken scratch on the page. With any orchestra part you want to make the most music out of it you can and be willing to change anything asked of you and be able to change it or emphasize it IMMEDIATELY! If you have the part down but someone else has a wider range of dynamics or you didn't read your accents and someone else did could me your chair being 2nd over first. With orchestral playing you have to think in an entire different way from solo music and read every single edit in that edition or one your conductor gives you.

Good Luck!
-Jake