The Great Wall of China

David Heyes

Product code:

RMD1307

£12.50

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Description

The Great Wall of China is originally for double bass quartet was composed on 21/22 July 2016.

In one movement and lasting around three minutes, it employs a number of effective and evocative playing techniques including arco, pizzicato, harmonics, sul ponticello, percussion, col legno and Bartok pizzicato, designed to introduce younger musicians to a number of playing effects, alongside accessible musical and technical skills, offering solo and ensemble opportunities for each player.

The music begins with a slow and stately unison theme, which is repeated pizzicato, before the main theme is introduced against a lively and driving percussive accompaniment. The music has a drive and momentum which is eventually interrupted by a series of dramatic chords to emphasise the amazing history and grandeur of the Great Wall, with a recapitulation of the opening theme ending with a strong, dramatic and sudden unison chord playing Bartok pizz.

The Great Wall of China also exists in a version for violin quartet, also playable by massed violins.

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Description

The Great Wall of China is originally for double bass quartet was composed on 21/22 July 2016.

In one movement and lasting around three minutes, it employs a number of effective and evocative playing techniques including arco, pizzicato, harmonics, sul ponticello, percussion, col legno and Bartok pizzicato, designed to introduce younger musicians to a number of playing effects, alongside accessible musical and technical skills, offering solo and ensemble opportunities for each player.

The music begins with a slow and stately unison theme, which is repeated pizzicato, before the main theme is introduced against a lively and driving percussive accompaniment. The music has a drive and momentum which is eventually interrupted by a series of dramatic chords to emphasise the amazing history and grandeur of the Great Wall, with a recapitulation of the opening theme ending with a strong, dramatic and sudden unison chord playing Bartok pizz.

The Great Wall of China also exists in a version for violin quartet, also playable by massed violins.

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About the Composer

David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman. David’s collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 700 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra. David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 29 countries across five continents. He is a D’Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning.

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