This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features the conclusion of our chat with Minnesota Orchestra bassist Colin Corner.  Colin joined the orchestra in 2006 after being a member of the Vancouver Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic.  In this episode we discuss the process of taking an audition for an ensemble like the Minnesota Orchestra--the various rounds, screen (or lack thereof), and repertoire.  We also discuss improvisation,  parallels between classical music and jazz, Colin's sources of musical inspiration, and his instrumental activities outside of the orchestral sphere.

Check out episode 34 of the podcast for the first part of this interview.

We also feature a recording of "Trioticism" from Chicago Symphony bassist and Contrabass Conversations interview guest Rob Kassinger.  Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations Episode features the second part of our interview with Chicago Symphony bassist Rob Kassinger. Last time we heard from Rob (on episode 25), we talked about his early years on the bass, growing up in Colorado, playing jazz and electric bass, studying the instrument, and studying with Homer Mensch in New York City.

This episode, we talk about Rob's time in the New Orleans Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and then moving into the Chicago Symphony.

Rob talks about the materials he works on with students, like etudes and Simandl, plus what gear Rob uses and how his band NYCO developed.

We'll also be hearing three tracks from Bay Area bassist Djordje Stijepovic. Enjoy!

Welcome to Story Time with the Contrabass Conversations podcast!  This new venture was inspired by the great podcast Digital Flotsam (along with a healthy dose of This American Life), and it features me narrating my story about fitting basses in cabs, along with topical songs, sound effects, and more.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features the conclusion of our interview with double bassist Michael Hovnanian. Click here to listen to Michael's previous episodes (CBC 24 and 29).  Michael has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1989, and he serves as the president of Discordia Music (double bass music publisher). Michael also plays for the Gunnelpumpers, Chicago Bass Ensemble, Music of the Baroque, and the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra. He authors the popular CSO Bass Blog, and he has served on the faculty for Northwestern University and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Michael was also my bass teacher for my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northwestern, and it was really great to get a chance to do this interview.  You will also get a chance to hear Michael play the Discordia Music edition of the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata on this episode.

After our interview with Michael, we'll be featuring two tunes from Chicago-area jazz bassist Mark Sonksen.  Mark is the owner of Sonksen Strings, a double bass repair and retail shop located in Chicago.  Enjoy!

In preparation for this weekend’s CBC episode featuring the final part of our Ranaan Meyer interview, we’re putting out this great video of Ranaan performing I’m Tryin’, one of his original compositions. Ranaan is the bassist for the excellent trio Time for Three, and after watching this video, I think you’ll see that Ranaan is a huge part of why this group has become so popular.

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode concludes our chat with Time for Three bassist Ranaan Meyer. CBC guest and co-host John Grillo joins us in this interview, and the three of us had a very engaging conversation. You can check out the first part of our interview plus CBC video episodes featuring Ranaan on his Contrabass Conversations page here, and visit Time for Three's website at www.tf3.com.

You can hear more from co-host John Grillo on his new blog www.classicalmusicnews.tv. Enjoy!

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an in-depth analysis of the double bass orchestral excerpts most commonly requested at auditions.  Double bassist (and regular Contrabass Conversations guest and ho-host) John Grillo discusses each of these excerpts--stylistic considerations, differences in articulation and bow strokes, and suggestions for effectively learning them--and then performs them.  I believe that this project will be a highly valuable resource for bassists worldwide, and I'd love your feedback on this project!

Learn more about John at his new blog ClassicalMusicNews.tv, and check out all of his older Contrabass Conversations appearances here.

Excerpts covered:

Beethoven Symphony No. 9; Beethoven Symphony No. 5; Brahms Symphony No. 1; Brahms Symphony No. 2; Shostakovich Symphony No. 5; Mozart Symphony No. 35; Mozart Symphony No. 39; Mahler Symphony No. 2; Schubert Symphony No. 9; Strauss Ein Heldenleben; Britten Young Person's Guide; Verdi Otello