Allegretto Capriccio

Allegretto Capriccio is one of Bottesini’s most stylish and elegant pieces for double bass and is believed to be his final solo work for the instrument. Chris West, the noted Bottesini scholar, commented that “the only mention of this piece I found are from the Gazzetta Musicale di Milano review of the concert in Parma in February 1889, and the mention that he orchestrated it in a letter of May 1889.” Allegretto Capriccio uses the entire register of the solo double bass and demonstrates Bottesini’s complete mastery of the instrument. There are technical challenges throughout the solo register with the ability to demonstrate the lyrical and singing qualities of the double bass. The accompaniment is simple and understated, but also provides gentle rhythmic momentum and a wonderfully colourful support This edition is based on a manuscript in G minor, using a minor-3rd scordatura which Bottesini often employed, and includes accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings. The double bass line in the piano accompaniment is how Bottesini wrote it in the manuscript. A version for double bass and string orchestra (or string quintet) is also available.