The double bass is well established as an instrument in jazz – l love Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown and Scott LaFarro in particular – but one rarely talks about it in the classical tradition. I’ve only recently discovered it, both music specially created for the double bass, and music transcribed from cello pieces. And it’s every bit as gorgeous, dramatic and soul-stirring as in jazz. So, a few performances showing off the classical double bass.

Dominik Wagner playing
Francois Rabbath’s Iberique Peninsulaire

François Rabbath playing Ode d’Espagne

Xavier Foley, Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1
transcribed for the double bass

Lauren Pierce playing Bach’s Cello Suite no. 3,
transcribed for the double bass

Joëlle Léandre & Serge Teyssot-Gay
playing La Voix est Libre