Etudy pro kontrabas / Studies for Double Bass – Gregora František (2024)

František Gregora (1819–1887) was a Czech double bassist, educator, music theorist, choir conductor, conductor, and composer. In the 1950s and 1960s, he successfully performed concerts and was referred to as the 'traveling virtuoso on double bass.' His solo double bass compositions from that time testify to the extraordinary technical maturity of both the composer and the performer. The interpretation of several of Gregor's double bass pieces is complicated by the fact that his solo compositions were written for the so-called C-violon tuned to A1-D-G-c. František Simandl adapted several pieces for the modern tuning of the double bass. Among these are the large etudes. However, Simandl also included the Polacca and Scherzo, which were composed as performance pieces for double bass and piano, in the published Etudes. ***** The publication of Six Little Etudes and Five Large Etudes was prepared in 2024 (revision by Eva Šašinková) and contains adaptations of both cycles of Gregor's etudes, which are evidence of his compositional and performance mastery. The Little Etudes are in basic positions, while the Large Etudes utilize thumb position playing. The pieces in both cycles are very melodic and place demands on the player not only technically but also expressively. ***** Contents: Six Little Etudes – performance etudes in basic positions •I /…