Scherzo in B flat

Czech bassist-composer Frantisek Gregora (1819-1887) was Bottesini's almost exact contemporary - albeit two years older - and was a respected soloist and composer in his day. He lived most of his life in Pisek, Bohemia and was a prolific composer of music for double bass.

Scherzo in B flat major is aimed at the intermediate bassist (c.Grade 7) and is edited by Miloslav Gajdos, the leading Gregora expert. The piece is lively and rhythmic, remaining in bass clef throughout and using much of the lower orchestral register. It offers simple musical and technical challenges with an effective and supportive piano accompaniment. A few double stops in the cadenza add to the spice and variety of this mid 19th-century work from central Europe.

"...a charming Scherzo in B flat major, which would make ane excellent shorter item in an intermediate recital. Lying within the orchestral register, and marked tempo di polka, it is lively and tuneful. Miloslav Gajdos has revised the work for this edition which has a written out cadenza which is playable and sonorous..." [ESTA News & Views]