Double Bass Strauss Die Fledermaus 'The Wrong Note'

[Bowmaker]

This has bugged me for years ever since (as a viola player) I took part in performances of this piece with my local youth orchestra. It's where the long introduction transitions into the Tempo di Valse; just cellos and basses together lead into the Valse, but what annoyed my ear was the progression G B D D just before the double barline. When gently interrogated, the players pointed at the music and proved they were playing the 'right notes'. So I shrank back, suitably chastised, into my seat. Listening to many recordings subsequently, the annoying progression seems to be the accepted version. But, thanks to the internet and IMSLP, the Kalmus facsimile of the

score is available for all to see; page 17. So, to all bass players, please correct your parts, and convince the cellists to do the same. It'll sound 'right' now!

 

[neilG]

It's the conductor you have to convince.

 

[DonQuartz]

Hard to argue with the manuscript. I never thought it was mistake although I have been asked to change it several times over the years.

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[SAlcott]

I'm playing this in December, and I'll be advocating with the conductor (who's usually pretty cool with this sort of thing from me) to play G D B D; It echoes what the violins have just played, and it's how Carlos Kleiber always did it, which is good enough for me.