The Paganini f the double bass
Many years ago when I was in high school, I played the bass in the orchestra and lamented the lack of music written to feature the instrument. Some thirty five years later I discovered Bottesini and regretted that it had taken so long to learn that, had I known of his work earlier, I would not have had to suffer under the delusion that bass virtuosos could find fulfillment only in jazz, blues or rock 'n roll. Discouraged, I never developed the mastery of the instrument that might have led me to stardom and thousands of teeny-bopper fans. AJA ("all joking aside"), lovers of classical music and particularly of strings, give this a try if you haven't already. If you like Rossini's comic overtures or string sonatas, you'll be particularly pleased.
