Reports From the Low Country

Rick Stotijn (double bass), Christianne Stotijn (violin), Rosanne Philippens (violin), Hans Eijsackers (piano) & Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, James Gaffigan

This CD gives an impression of the broad stylistic spectrum of Dutch music over a period of more than fifty years. The programme focuses on an instrument that for more than two centuries was neglected by composers: the double bass. Despite some exceptions, the instrument only played a role within the orchestra.

Louis Andriessen, Hans Kox, Martijn Padding and Michel van der Aa have enriched the double bass repertoire with music in which the instrument takes up a solo role in a concerto with orchestra, and is also heard in a small ensemble and even on its own. The search for special sounds and tonal combinations, stylistic open-mindedness and the free handling of traditional and modern styles, jazz and pop music – all these are conspicuous aspects of Dutch music. Louis Andriessen, now internationally the best known Dutch composer, wrote Elegy for cello or double bass and piano as far back as the 1950s, while Hans Kox's Four Studies for double bass solo date from 1988. The most recent pieces on this CD, Reports from the Low Country by Padding and For the time being by Van der Aa, are not least inspired by the famous Dutch double bass player Rick Stotijn, who features as the soloist on this recording.

Aa:
 For the time being

Andriessen, L:
 Elegy

Kox:
 Four Studies for Double Bass Solo

Padding:
 Reports from the low country

‘Een dankbare partituur voor de contrabas’, noemde Het Parool Reports from the Low Country, het contrabasconcert van Martijn Padding. Het werk, geschreven voor het Radio Filharmonisch Orkest en contrabassist Rick Stotijn, is de blikvanger op de gelijknamige cd met vier werken van Nederlandse componisten met de contrabas in de hoofdrol. Ook samen met zijn zus, mezzosopraan Christianne, en met het trio met violiste Rosanne Philippens en pianist Hans Eijsackers speelt Stotijn de sterren van de hemel en maakt hij van de contrabas een heerlijk zingende, zuchtende, steunende en gierende ‘primo uomo’. Een waar feest voor ontdekkingsluisteraars.