ISG Publications has just released a new definitive edition of the popular Rossini – Duetto for cello and contrabass. Duetto per violoncello e contrabbasso by Gioachino Rossini gets special treatment in this new professional players’ edition. The bass and cello parts have been carefully edited for performance by Prof. Patrick Neher. The composition has been arranged for stellar professional players’ performance, by extending the instruments’ ranges, while enhancing the lyrical and humorous qualities inherent in the commissioned composition.
Rossini Duetto for cello and contrabass is a new addition to our Exclusive Chamber Music Series, and is available now. It is beautifully printed sheet music, that has concert-ready, intelligently spaced page turns, and is accompanied by a full-sized readable score. The work is also available in PDF for performance with tablets.
Two Romantic Songs for Contrabass and Piano by Giovanni Bottesini
ISG Publications is pleased to announce the immediate availability and New Release of Two Romantic Songs for Contrabass and Piano by Giovanni Bottesini. This beautifully printed album of two art-songs from circa 1865, Il Lamento della Ghisa and La Cloche de Village, originally written by Bottesini for voice and piano, has been transcribed, arranged, and edited by Patrick Neher. This exclusive publication is the first time these songs have ever been published for contrabass solo.
If you are a Bottesini enthusiast, or just now beginning to study the music of this great master of 19th century romanticism, you are in for a real treat! Even your teacher doesn’t know about these beautiful tunes! In one album, you can study two fine examples of Bottesini’s craftsmanship. Each song is around four minutes long and encompasses a moderate mid- range for the contrabass, yet is very lyrical and mostly step-wise (without the flashy arpeggios of many of his works). These “entry-level” works are perfect to get started on the vast Bottesini repertory, and if you are an old-hand at Bottesini, you will welcome the fresh new lyricism and charm these pieces offer to be a wonderful diversion from the flash and “bravura” of much of Bottesini’s other works. Hear Patrick Neher perform “Il Lamento…” and Hear Patrick perform “La Cloche.”
This exclusive publication, which is perfect for students in middle to high school or college, contains one solo contrabass part and two piano parts (one in solo tuning and one in orchestral tuning). PDF License will soon be available for tablets. Please see our contrabass solos page for purchase.
Patrick Neher and Martin Kennedy have just released a new CD album of Neher’s three Sonatinas for Contrabass. This 52 minute album was recorded the second week of March, 2024, and is a sort-of “House Concert.” No A.I. here! This performance is minimally edited and has the energy (and full-blown human character, sounds, and technical problems) of a live performance! For students of composition and of contrabass, this recording presents a good example of contemporary counterpoint, rhythmical and expressive playing, combined with lyrical, sensitive, and accessible harmonies. Frankly, you have never heard bass playing, nor piano playing like this!!
Martin Kennedy is a well-known and prize winning composer as well as celebrated collaborative and solo concert artist. Patrick Neher, now retired, has traveled the world as a soloist, but is also known for his compositions for modern dance, film, orchestra, and chamber music that features the double bass in prominent roles. Together, these two Juilliard-trained professionals have created a unique and formidable concert CD, that can easily be a reference for virtuosity in performance as well as music composition. This CD is also available by usb2 thumb-drive (files included: mps3 tracks, cover art and info).
Patrick Neher’s 2008 composition for contrabass flute, double bass and piano, has been revised, re-edited, and arranged for two contrabasses and piano. This jazzy piece has received a face-lift!
After numerous performances and two recordings by the eminent contrabass flute player, Peter Sheridan, Patrick Neher came to the conclusion that the piece could likely be more accessible and would do well arranged for two basses. So, during the pandemic, he revised and re-edit the composition. With a few “tweaks” and some judicious editing, Mr. Neher has released the 2023 version. City Vignettes is now available for two contrabasses and piano, as well as the original composition for contrabass flute, double bass, and piano.
The three movements are: I – Corner Encounter, II – Lunàcité, and III – Block Party. As with many of Patrick Neher’s compositions, very competent players are required, and jazz is the primary genre, but there are many episodes of lyrical contemporary harmonies. This is a wonderful addition to the double bass duet repertory! Please see our contrabass in ensembles page to purchase either version.
Patrick Neher’s latest composition, AgroDolces for piano trio (violin, cello, and piano) is an exciting concert work that explores various ways to define and interpret music, including the feelings of “sweet and sour,” playful and forceful, lyrical and punctual. This virtuoso work was written for Nancy Bean, former Assistant Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Lloyd Smith, cellist, also formerly with the Philadelphia Orchestra; and it is in four movements: Happy, Bossa, Sara (Andante), and Allegro e giocosa
Purchase this romantic concert work, AgroDolces trio, on ISG’s violin page, cello page, or piano page. The composition will also, soon, be available in PDF format for tablets. Check out our page of sheet music available to download.
ISG Publications announces the Second Edition of Patrick Neher’s Incantation for Solo Viola (1991).
This lovely soliloquy has recently been performed by Nancy Bean, violinist/violist formerly with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The performance, Sept. 10, 2023, at the German Society of Pennsylvania, was videoed by Dr. Edmund Cohen.
Hear/See the performance (below) Incantation for Solo Viola is available on our Viola repertory page.
Incantation for Solo Viola is available on our Viola repertory page.
Patrick Neher’s latest double stop study for contrabass, Double Stop Study no. 2 is now available on the Premiere Pedagogy page and the double bass solos page. This work is intended as an etude but is well suited to performance. (Hear Patrick Neher performing) It is approx. 06:00 minutes in length, and utilizes the entire range of the double bass. It is an expressive work with lots of challenge, on par with college and professional players.
This composition is an elegy, dedicated to continuing the memory of the charismatic, compassionate and talented bassists, Robert Black and David Neubert. These lovely humans were taken from the bass world all too soon. They will be dearly missed.
Patrick Neher’s new Two Springtime Arias for Two Contrabasses and Piano is now available on our contrabass in ensembles page. (be sure to scroll down the page to find it!)
This lyrical work, written in the spring of 2022, reflects on emotions of hope, sadness, joyfulness, frivolity, and curiousness. It is in two movements: “After Noon’s Lament” and “Reminiscence.” Performance time is just over 13 minutes. The composition is written for accomplished bassists of equal playing ability; amateurs and professionals. It is a good pedagogical piece as well but is designed for performance. The piano part requires a good command of the piano but is not terribly challenging – an accomplished student of accompanying will enjoy the expressive yet co-collaborative nature of the part.
Patrick Neher says; “Two Springtime Arias was written during the world-wide pandemic of Covid 19. When there was a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel, in the spring of 2022, I was inspired to compose an uplifting and challenging duet for basses, that expresses hope for a return to adventurousness; hope for a return to questing for knowledge (and shuttering of popular complacency). The duet is to be romantically interpreted with liberal tempo changes and rubato. While playing and working together, bassists will enjoy the comradship combined with feelings of accomplishment that they have created something meaningful… And they will have fun playing toegther!” ~PN, Dec. 2022
Audio Examples: Mvt.1 “After Noon’s Lament” and Mvt.2 “Reminiscence” both examples performed by Patrick Neher but are not intended to be the only “proper” interpretation. We’d like to hear Your Way!
Aleksandr Borodin‘s lovely (no longer “unfinished”) Grand Trio in G Major for two violins and cello (circa 1860), has just been completed andrealized this New Year by Patrick Neher. Neher’s compositional addition to the Trio includes a Minuet and Finale, as third and forth movements, making the Trio completed, accessible, and performable!
ISG Publications / ISG Music Promotions has carefully edited and reissued the four movement composition in a clear, easily readable concert score and archival-quality parts format. The parts have sensible page turns ready for your performance (unlike other versions, where three or more pages are required to be spread way out across the stands – ach!). This new publication is also available by PDF for tablets (parts only). The new Grand Trio in G Major is a welcome addition to the two violin and cello repertory, with a performance time of about 27 minutes.
The cello part has been newly revised and edited by Lloyd Smith, formerly with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The violin parts have been edited by Nancy Bean, also a former member of the Philadelphia Orchestra. And, for virtuoso double bass players, ISG Publications has produced a specially edited and transposed contrabass part.
This Special Edition is NOW AVAILABLE for purchase. Purchase the Trio on ISG Publications’ sheet music for violin or music for cello pages. The contrabass alternative to cello, is available (with the complete Trio) on our Contrabass in Ensembles page. PDF license with all Trio parts, but no score, will be available on the Downloadable page (coming soon).
ISG Publications announces the Second Edition of Patrick Neher’s Character Waltzes for Double Bass and Piano.This work, composed in 2014, is approximately 10-12 minutes and is four lyrical and short waltzes based on theatrical characters (there are “Izia”, “Marco”, “Frankie”, and “Josephine”).
The level of challenge is rated at 8 (out of 10) for the composition’s use of the entire range of the double bass and having challenge equal to a professional bassist’s ability. See a video performance, for more information, samples, and ordering information, please head over to our music for contrabass page. For more information on Patrick Neher and his compositions, please click here.
ISG Publications / ISG Music Promotions is dedicated to publishing, presenting, and promoting today’s composers of music for double bass, cello, strings, and other instruments in combinations and solos that provide challenge for the player and lyrical yet contemporary accessibility for audiences.
ISG Publications is pleased to announce the production of the Second Edition of Theodor Albin Findeisen’s Nixenreigen Fantasy for Contrabass and Piano (op. 9 circa 1910). (Hear Patrick Neher performing Nixenreigen Fantasy). The new Second Edition provides two piano parts; one for the bassist who uses solo tuning to perform the piece, and one for the contrabassist in orchestral tuning. And, much of the bass part and piano parts have been newly edited by Patrick Neher.
The original publication of this piece has an attractive poem and illustration of a bassist dancing in the woods with nymphs surrounding him. Nixenreigen, which translates as “Nymph’s round dance,” tells a story of a bassist coming home through the woods one night after a performance, where he encounters nymphs! Nixenreigen Fantasy is a musical story telling of the wandering bassist’s reactions to the encounter.
The composition is perfect for high school and college aged students as well as for professional performers. It is lyrical, yet modern in harmonies. The work was revived and edited in 2012 by Dr. Robert Matheson (Dixie State University School of the Arts), and received additional editing by Patrick Neher.
Camil Van Hulse’s short and spirited work; Sonatine-Etude pour contrebasse solo, has been given a face-lift. ISG Publications is please to offer the Second Edition of this popular bass solo. The work has been composed quite idiomatically for the double bass, even though Camil Van Hulse was not a bassist. The work is a perfect choice as an introduction to American contemporary classical music for bass students of all ages. Be sure to listen to the audio examples. The piece is a lot of fun to play!
Camil Van Hulse, was born in Belgium in 1897 and died in Tucson, Arizona, in 1988, after a lengthy career in music, particularly symphonic direction and opera composition. Though not a bass player, Camil wrote the composition, Sonatine-Etude, after hearing the incomparable Gary Karr performing works of Bottesini on the local classical music radio station. Sonatine-Etude is both lyrical and technically challenging, yet surprisingly, it is written quite idiomatically for the bass. Camil’s knowledge of orchestration is evident and the piece is a welcome addition to the repertory.
Purchase the sheet music on our contrabass page. PDF license is available for tablets.
Do you want to play the bass really, really well? Are you frustrated with attitudes that make playing the bass difficult? Well, we introduce a simpler, quicker way to learn the double bass: Patrick Neher’s new ColorPoz Method for Contrabassin two volumes is now available. These unique method utilizes colored note heads to designate position and string. Truly the first of its kind, ColorPoz will have you playing in all positions, knowing every pitch on the bass, in “no time!!”
The first book of ColorPoz Method for Contrabass includes studies for 1/2, first, second, and third positions, with an added variation of extended-third. The second book of ColorPoz Method for Contrabass covers positions 4, 4-extended, 5 and 6 (numbering of positions pioneered by François Rabbath). Student and teacher feedback indicates that the colored note head system facilitates their learning of the pitches in every position much better than by the traditional method of indicating position and string with text (i.e. “I, II, III, etc” and “G, D, A, E”). The goal is to learn all the notes and positions, then it is easier to focus on being expressive with the bow and sound control. Though ColorPoz Method for Contrabass focuses on left hand technique and progressively learning the pitches in every position, the method also provides thorough study for all aspects of bass playing, and facilitates development of acute mental-mapping of the fingerboard. ColorPoz Method also provides critical studies that develop pivoting (pivot fingering), with photos and video links.
Book Two example pages
ColorPoz Method for Contrabass is edited by Cielito De Jesus and the techniques taught have received accolades from numerous, prominent teachers of double bass. Now available, Book One is $22 and includes textual instruction, 39 photographs, 12 etudes, and 2 divertimenti. Book 2 is $28 and includes textual instruction, 12 etudes and 1 concert caprice. Both books purchased together are discounted to $45. A web site of videos for every exercise and numerous supplemental videos is provided with free and unlimited access.
Please share your comments about studying ColorPoz Method with Patrick Neher at his web site (patrickneher.com) or use our contact page.
ISG Publications is honored to present and to release a fabulous re-visioning of one of the most important staples of the violin repertory; Mark Rush’s new book, Carl Flesch Distilled, A User-Friendly Approach to the Flesch Scale System. This is the first violin pedagogy title in our Premiere Pedagogy Series.
Mark Rush has a distinguished career as a professor of violin and chamber music, an internationally traveled performer, and a recording artist with numerous albums. His new book is an innovative detail yet simplification of the Flesch Scale System, and focuses on the essence of this system to make scale study for violinists much more productive and less tedious. This is a superb practice book to reside on every violinist’s music stand. Available in PDF also, for tablets. Read Stephen Brivati’s review of Carl Flesch Distilled on Violinist.com. Read Mark Rush’s article on the creation of Carl Flesch Distilled on Violinist.com.
With accolades from professional and amateur violinists alike, here are what just a few celebrated performers are saying about Mark Rush’s new book: “I thoroughly enjoyed this well conceived and beautifully executed re-imagining of one of the essential building blocks of violin technique. I look forward to sharing this with my students and also working on it myself as well. Bravo!” ~ Steven Moeckel, Concert Master, Phoenix Symphony, Santa Fe Opera
“Carl Flesch Distilled is a welcome addition to the library of violin technical studies. Mark Rush has taken the Flesch Scale System and simplified the format into a logical visual and theoretical sequence easily understood by students.” ~ Mimi Zweig, Professor, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University
“… a fresh and imaginative presentation of the Carl Flesch Scale System that makes the benefits of this classic fully accessible to any violinist.” ~ Kevin Lawrence, Professor, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Artistic Director, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival
“The Flesch scale system has been a go-to resource for violin teachers for almost 100 years. Professor Rush introduces scale practice in a more gradual way, and his ideas on fingerings help with the process of memorization and gaining confidence with intonation. I highly recommend this volume for any teacher… or for students who have been frustrated with the complexity of the original.” ~ Charles Wetherbee, Associate Professor of Violin, Colorado University – Boulder
“Mark Rush has taken the beloved Carl Flesch Scale System and has reverently preserved its most essential core, while providing wonderfully clear and helpful additions; perfect for students of all levels, making this classic book more approachable and useable for everyone. What a great idea, wonderfully executed!” ~ Lina Bahn, Associate Professor of Violin, Thornton School of Music, Univ. of Southern California
“What a pleasure to see this valuable contribution to the pedagogical literature which is exactly what it advertises: distilled, thoughtful, and above all, accessible, while retaining the original inspiration and intent of Carl Flesch. Well done, indeed!” ~ Paul Kantor, Professor of Violin, Shepard School of Music, Rice University
Neher – Merci François, Souviens-Toi! for six double bass players was released in 2018 but is now available in a Second Edition print. This lovely sextet was written for and performed by the faculty of the 2018 Rabbath Institute Los Angeles, organized by Cielito de Jesus (performance video link here – sorry it is from a cell phone so the audio is not high fidelity). It is an original composition of Patrick Neher based on an etude from Francois Rabbath’s Nouvelle Technique pour Contrebass (Leduc), in three lyrical sections, with the middle section being completely “free composed” with no references to the Rabbath etude, then returning to the referenced material to end the piece. This composition is a perfect piece to display the potentially sweet and lyrical qualities of double basses in ensemble. One of Patrick Neher’s formidable compositional skills is writing lyrical music for contrabasses in ensemble. Any level of performer(s) will enjoy this piece!
ISG Publications is please to announce the new release of Patrick Neher’s concert etude, Swing Set for Contrabass. As part of our Virtuoso Creation series and our Premiere Pedagogy series, these challenging set of four lyrical etudes can be performed as a short (about 07:00 minutes) concert solo, or can be part of your daily study to facilitate both your technique and musical interpretation skills. There are some “extended techniques” required of the piece, including some humming/singing in pitch.
Patrick Neher’s new piece, Swing Set for Contrabass, is a lyrical and dynamic solo work that can be a wonderful addition to any bass player’s library, but a professional level of performance is required.
Purchase Swing Set for Contrabass on our contrabass page or our pedagogy page.
ISG Publications is please to release the Second Edition of Giampaolo Bracali’s competition solo, Soliloquy. The late Maestro Bracali composed Soliloquy for the 2005 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, and it was the required new music piece for the competition. Though played by numerous bassists at the time, it seems to have been forgotten. With this issuance, we’d like to remind bassists of this seminal work. It is mostly lyrical and utilizes the entire range of the bass. Though a tad challenging for most bassists, it is a great study piece as well as a deeply thoughtful concert work. The Second Edition is attractively covered and printed with good contrast for your music stand. A PDF version for tablets is also available.
Please see our Contrabass Solos page for more information and purchasing.
Written for and to honor the accomplished career of Scott Slapin, violist, ISG Publications is pleased to announce the New Release of Patrick Neher’s stunningly virtuosic, yet accessible, Concerto in D for Viola and Contrabass with String Orchestra (or Piano). This new concerto for a moderately rare combination of instruments (viola and contrabass duet), is now available in two versions: full orchestra score with soloists and string parts by rental or purchase, and solo parts with piano reduction (see either our viola repertory page or contrabass repertory page). Both the orchestra and piano versions come with a demo recording performed by Scott Slapin, viola, and Patrick Neher, contrabass, with the Bellingham Technical Orchestra strings backing them up.
The piece is playful and energetic with three moderately quick movements, totaling approx. 18 minutes. The level of playing ability required is definitely “Professional” but is a good goal for anyone studying to be a solo violist or bassist (The contrabass part is in regular orchestral tuning. The composer does not recommend solo tuning for this piece, as the harmonic series of the regular open strings is utilized to its potential). Mvt 1 demo.Mvt 2 demo.Mvt 3 demo.
The demo recording can be obtained, gratis, by making an inquiry via our contact page. It will be sent to you via reduced fidelity mp3. Or you can receive a full-fidelity CD in the mail (USA only).
A welcome piece to the viola and bass duet repertory, Patrick Neher’s Concerto in D is an adventurous but enjoyable and rewarding composition with innovative musical development; a truly lyrical modern composition.
Patrick Neher – Character Suite for Contrabass and Piano, (or for Contrabass Solo, or for Contrabass with another bassist accompanying), is the latest title added to ISG Publications’ Premiere Pedagogy Series of innovative compositions for students and teachers.
Written for Cielito de Jesus and her students, this composition explores four “characters” and how to develop musical personality. The four movements can be performed individually or as a group and total approximately 10:00 minutes. The movement titles indicate the characteristics to develop: Foup and Twils (allegro moderato), Under Dripping Palms (andante), Plumb Foup (allegro), and G’mma’s Waltz (allegro). The solo bassist can perform in orchestral or solo tuning, as both piano parts and accompaniment bassist parts come with both tunings. Hear demonstration recordings of Character Suite on Patrick Neher’s personal web page (click the Book Two tab).
Bassists are encourage to study the pieces with a teacher, and the teacher can play the accompaniment bass part or the piano. But these pieces can also be rewarding to perform solo, with no accompaniment. This innovative way of making music provides potential for spontaneous creativity. In fact, the soloist could specify where he/she wants to be accompanied and by whom – the bassist or the pianist. Fun!
The level of skill required to play these pieces is in the moderate to advanced junior high or high school range, but college students and professionals alike will be challenged to be creative with the material. Thus, the four character tunes are oriented toward multi-skill level, they are listenable, and are especially fun to play!
Purchase Patrick Neher’s new Character Suite at our contrabass solos page.
Prokofieff – Ballade, op.15 for Contrabass and Piano (ISG Publications, 2022)
As part of our Virtuoso Performer Series, ISG Publications is please to release Serge Prokovieff’s spirited and contemporary Ballade, op. 15, recently edited and transcribed for contrabass by Patrick Neher. Ballade was originally composed for cello and piano, but the composition lays well on the contrabass and has many “bass-like” characteristics. Patrick Neher has always been inspired by Prokofieff’s music, and Ballade is one of those pieces that is “perfect for the bass,” so he edited and arranged the work for contrabass. This unique publication is an excellent vehicle for a bassist and pianist to explore a wide range of potential expression and emotions. Certainly a “tour de force” work for the pianist, the composition is also complex enough for the bassist to provide years of challenge!
Dedicated to Nikolai Pavlovich Ruzsky, Serge Prokofieff wrote Ballade for Cello and Piano in 1912, and yet it still sounds contemporary, as if written just yesterday! It has a freshness that is timeless. The work is especially challenging for pianists. Clearly Prokofieff’s technique of playing the piano is well on display in this piece, requiring substantial “extended” techniques that even the most accomplished pianists will have to develop to play the work’s emotional content as intended.
Ballade was first performed in Moscow, February 1914, by Prokofieff, with cellist, Yevsey Belousov. The first publication of the work was in 1915 by publisher, J. Jurgenson. This new edition comes with the piano score spiral bound and the contrabass part staple bound. A PDF version is in the works. Purchase the sheet music on ISG Publication’s contrabass solos page.
