Two Caprices for bass and piano by Giovanni Bottesini
Giovanni Bottesini (1821-89) was one of the most remarkable virtuosos of the 19th century. He was the Romantic era's foremost double bass soloist and composer for the instrument, responsible for greatly extending its technical and expressive possibilities thru concertos, bravura works, and salon pieces, much as Paganini did for the violin. He was also a respected conductor of Italian opera, known for playing virtuosic fantasies on popular opera themes on his bass during intermissions.
These two caprices are very different pieces. ''Allegretto Capriccio'' (also known as ''Caprice a la Chopin'') is a light salon piece, inspired by Chopin's Valse in C-sharp minor, Op.62/2. ''Capriccio di Bravura'' goes far beyond a salon piece into bravura territory, with tempo markings like Allegro con fuoco and substantial technical demands, including high passages with harmonics. Edited by Thomas Martin. Master level, grade 6.
