double bass

G. Rossini – Duetto for cello and bass

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.

Order your copy of this unique publication from our cello page, or our bass in ensembles page.

May 29, 2024 by cello Chamber Music double bass Duets News Sheet Music

New Bottesini – Never before Published

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.

May 13, 2024 by Chamber Music Composers double bass Duets News Pedagogy Sheet Music Solo Music

CD – Three Sonatinas for Contrabass

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).

Now Available on ISG Music’s CD pages.

March 14, 2024 by Composers Duets News Recordings Solo Music

City Vignettes – Revised 2023

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.

November 9, 2023 by Chamber Music Composers Duets News Sheet Music String Trio

Double Stop Study No. 2

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.

June 13, 2023 by Composers double bass News Pedagogy Sheet Music Solo Music

Two Springtime Arias for basses

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!

Go to ISG’s contrabass in ensembles page to purchase.

April 23, 2023 by Chamber Music Composers double bass Duets News Pedagogy Sheet Music

Character Waltzes for Bass and Piano

Neher-CharacterWaltzes

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.

patrickneher.com
patrick neher.com
January 7, 2023 by Chamber Music Composers double bass News Sheet Music Solo Music

Second Edition – Van Hulse Sonatine-Etude

Sonatine-Etude

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, composer

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.

October 19, 2022 by Composers double bass News Sheet Music Solo Music

Sextet for Contrabassi

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!

Be sure to see the video and order the music on the basses in ensembles page of ISG Publications.

August 30, 2022 by Chamber Music Composers double bass News Pedagogy Sextet Sheet Music

Swing Set for Contrabass (2021)

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.

June 8, 2022 by Composers double bass News Pedagogy Sheet Music Solo Music

Concerto in D for Viola and Contrabass

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.

May 14, 2022 by Composers Duets News Recordings Sheet Music String Orchestra With soloist

Character Suite for Contrabass and Piano

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.

May 7, 2022 by Chamber Music Composers double bass News Pedagogy Sheet Music Solo Music

After Every Man, second edition

Patrick Neher - After Every Man for Clarinet, Violin, Double Bass and Piano

Now Available is the Second Edition of Patrick Neher’s 2016 composition, AFTER EVERY MAN for clarinet, violin, contrabass, and piano. This six movement piece is subtitled “Theatrical Scenes” and is a 27 minute drama describing human emotional terraces. Any one movement can be performed separately but is intended to be together as a whole, dramatic performance. Via the composition, the composer attempts to musically describe and connect the audience with numerous states of deep contemplation and emotion that many humans go through in their life, from “contentment” to “absolution.” Influences of Shostokovich, Stravinsky, and jazz are apparent.

Patrick Neher says; “The piece announced itself, and I heard the themes in a very vivid dream that I had one night in the Spring of 2016. I awoke and wrote down the themes as fast as possible!”

The piece is available with full piano score, clarinet, violin and contrabass parts. See the Contrabass in Chamber Music page for purchase.

December 23, 2021 by Chamber Music Composers Mixed Instruments or Voice News Quartet

Bottesini Melodia #2 and Introduction & Gavotte – Second Editions

Bottesini’s lovely Melodia #2 for Contrabass and Piano (ISG ©1999) has been reissued. The Second Edition of Melodia #2 includes both piano parts for the contrabass in orchestral and solo tuning, and is carefully edited to reflect Patrick Neher’s concert recording of the work. This re-issue is in beautiful print and on standard concert folio sized archival paper. A PDF version is in the works.

And ISG has reissued Bottesini’s Introduction and Gavotte. The Second Edition provides this popular work with both solo tuning and orchestra tuning piano parts. Carefully edited, this edition is a reflection of the recordings and live performances of Patrick Neher.

Purchase the Second Edition of Bottesini Melodia #2 and Bottesini’s Introduction and Gavotte from ISG’s contrabass solos page.

November 24, 2021 by Chamber Music Composers News Sheet Music Solo Music

New Release Pedagogy – Negri Two Studies

LUIGI NEGRI was a not-so-famous bassist of the 19th century. Born in 1837, he managed to make a name for himself even though overshadowed by Giovanni Bottesini. As a former student of Bottesini’s teacher, Luigi Rossi, and as successor to the head of the conservatory in Milan, he had a fair number of bass students and produced numerous compositions and etudes.

These two studies, Gran Studio no.1 and Studio no. 24, are from a compilation of studies that Negri produced around the year 1862. The book consisted of mostly violin studies (by such teachers as Kreisler), adapted by Negri for bass. But the two published here by ISG Publications are his original compositions and deserve to be re-published. They give us insight into the demands of bassists at the time – when Donizetti, Puccini, and Verdi were writing operas with very challenging (sometimes) bass parts!

Though not the most inspired of compositions, bassist will today be mightily challenged by these two studies, to play in the 19th century opera buffa style and Play in Tune!! You can obtain your copy of these two studies of Luigi Negri at our Pedagogy Page or our solo contrabass compositions page.

July 22, 2021 by double bass News Pedagogy Sheet Music Solo Music

Progressive and “Divertimento” Duets for Bassists

ISG Publications Progressive Duets for Bassists

Available now with a discount for buying all three volumes, purchase 21 Progressive and Divertimento Duets for Bassists on ISG Publications Premiere Pedagogy page, or the contrabass in ensembles page.

In collaboration with Editor, Cielito de Jesus, Patrick Neher has composed three volumes of progressive duets for bass students and teachers. The 21 duets span a plethora of techniques and musical styles, with Volume 1 being the most simple – with 9 titles, focusing on bow control and in the Rabbath 3rd, 4th, and 1st left hand positions. Volume 2’s six titles introduce more challenging left hand melodies in additional positions, with additional bow rhythm development. Volume 3 focuses each bass player on performance and developing their musical interpretations skills. For a total of 21 progressive, tuneful, and contemporary duets, this publication is unique in the world of bass pedagogy and is considered a “must have!” by numerous teachers:

See Jason Heath’s review of the Duets.
AND Here’s what teachers are saying about the new 21 Progressive and Divertimento Duets:

“As a big fan of Patrick Neher’s composition style, I’m excited to see these progressive duets! They add a rich and much needed companion to the George Vance Progressive Repertoire that all bassists can enjoy.” ~ Johnny Hamil, Young Bassist Teacher and Artistic Director, KCBassworkshop

“Patrick Neher’s 21 Progressive and “Divertimento” Duets for Bassists are a valuable new resource for double bass students. These charming pieces are set in the Rabbath/Vance positions and progress from open strings and simple motions into increasingly complex pieces. These pieces are filled with character and a diverse range of musical ideas, and they are sure to bring joy to any bassist who plays them. Highly recommended!” ~ Jason Heath, Contrabass Conversations

“These duets are great! What a fantastic addition to our repertoire. There’s something here for bassists of all levels – from simple, one-position tunes to complex concert music for virtuosos of the instrument. There’s a good mix of keys, meters and techniques that will provide students and teachers alike with a good challenge, and I can’t wait to start using them in my own teaching. Thanks, Patrick!”  ~ Ted Botsford, LA Philharmonic, Occidental College, Colburn School

Available now with a discount for buying all three volumes, purchase 21 Progressive and Divertimento Duets for Bassists on ISG Publications Premiere Pedagogy page, or the contrabass in ensembles page.


May 20, 2021 by Composers double bass Duets News Pedagogy Sheet Music

April in G for Contrabass Duet

Patrick Neher – April in G for Contrabass Duet

Neher - April in G bass duet
Cover
Score and parts

April, 2020, was supposed to be a beautiful month of creative endeavors, concerts, and flowering trees. Instead it is a bit dreary – never the less, out of pathos comes enlightenment and cheer. Patrick Neher has composed a wonderfully fun duet for double bass players, April in G. The virtuosic composition uses the entire range of the bass (of course) and explores passionate lyricism, professional technique, and expansive chordal textures. The piece is truly fun to play and to listen to, but requires a dedicated level of playing (or for those aspiring to be professional).

A challenging and fun new duet for the repertory, April in G is ready to be performed!

Purchase the sheet music (basses in ensembles) here.

April 3, 2021 by Chamber Music Composers Duets News Sheet Music

Sonatina #4 for Contrabass

Patrick Neher’s latest opus is Sonatina #4 for Contrabass and Piano. This lyrical but virtuosic work is about 24 minutes total and includes two movements: February (Moderato, rhapsodic and very lyrical) and March (Allegro vivace giocoso). Completed in January of 2019, the Sonatina was written for the Dixie State University bass festival (February, 2019), and is dedicated to composer and bass player, Frank Proto. See video example. Buy the sheet music here.

January 24, 2019 by Chamber Music Composers News Sheet Music Solo Music

Romance for Contrabass and Orchestra

Romance for Contrabass and Orchestra, by Patrick Neher (2018) This short (7:30) vignette is not a difficult piece. Orchestra is small: One of each: oboe, bassoon, clarinet, trumpet, euphonium (or bass trombone), tuba, tympani, triangle, and a moderate strings section.

This piece is published in three additional formats:
~ for solo cello and orchestra.
~ for solo bass and small wind ensemble
~ for chamber orchestra alone (no soloist)

Go to our purchase site to rent or buy

September 12, 2018 by Chamber Music Composers News Recordings Sheet Music Solo Music Symphonic Music With soloist

Symphony #2 “Cascade” by P. Neher

sym2p1New and hot-off-the-press, ISG Publications presents: Patrick Neher’s Symphony #2 “Cascade” (2016) in one movement.  This 23 minute tour-de-force requires a rather large Classical orchestra with virtuosic players, particularly in the strings, wood winds and percussion.

 

A demo CD is available (gratis) as are study score, performance score and orchestral parts (rental or purchase).

“Symphony #2 ‘Cascade’ is a musical painting of mountainous environments, adventures and challenges. Imagine encounters of cascades of natural resources: water falls, of course, but also snow and rock slides, trees in large cascades of color, animals in large groups (herds, flocks) – cascading down mountain sides or traversing a meandering valley. My dreams while in these environments tend toward active movement; visions of falling debris, clouds, rain, hail, torrents of chemical reactions – catalyzed by sunshine and oxygen, myself falling from a high perch, piece-by-piece,  yet soaring above cascades of wild flowers, striations of rock, glacier and lava flows.” – PN

November 30, 2016 by Composers News Recordings Sheet Music Symphonic Music

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