Fantasia for Viola and Double Bass on Themes of Marin Marais

FANTASIA
Program note by Bill Schrickel: “In the summer of 1983, I heard a tape of a hauntingly beautiful string trio by John Tartaglia. I asked him if he would like to write a duo for viola and double bass, and his answer was a yes – with one reservation. John had never written for the bass, and he wasn’t sure that he’d be able to compose idiomatically for the instrument. We decided that John would borrow an inexpensive bass that was gathering dust in my basement – he felt that actually playing on a bass would be the best way for him to become familiar with the instrument’s capabilities and limitations. The resulting work, in one movement, incorporates four dance themes of Marin Marais 1656-1728): “L’Agréable,” a charming cantabile introduced by the viola; “La Musette,” with its characteristic pedal point; “La Matelotte,” energetic and exuberant in cut-time; and “Le Basque,” in a sprightly allegro. Between each of the original dance themes John has interjected material of his own invention, providing an expanded network of moods as well as technical challenges along the way. To Marin Marais’ old French dances John introduces a tango theme of his own that serves as the introduction and reappears in the coda.” Fantasia for Viola and Bass (On Themes of Marin Marais) is offered by special arrangement with Liben Music Publishers.

premiere info
1985
Paul Murphy, viola; William Schrickel, double bass