Double Bass Viennese Tuning

While I was in Vienna for a music festival this July, I became more aware of the use of Viennese Tuning (A1,D,F#,A). This tuning system for the double bass was used during the Classical Period predominantly in the Austro-German lands.

Igor Pecevski's Viennese Tuning resource:
Thanks to Igor Pecevski, there is a good online resource to learn more on Viennese Tuning for the double bass. According to the materials listed under the section "The history of the Viennase tuning", "it is believed that this tuning system originated in the Baroque period at the time when the period bassists have started emulating the Baroque lute and viol tunings."

The Viennese Tuning is ideal for playing works in the key of D major and the closely related tonalities (e.g. B minor, A major and F# minor). However, it can be difficult to play works in other keys (e.g. Eb major) using the Viennese Tuning. Perhaps this was the reason why Viennese Tuning did not achieve universal acceptance eventually?

For more information on Viennese Tuning, please refer to this useful resource by Igor Pecevski: http://viennesetuning.com 

This resource contains introduction on this subject, and it also offers useful introductory materials on the fingering basics of the Viennese Bass Method. The page also offers encouragements for anyone who would have the courage to learn the Viennese tuning. Furthermore, the webpage offers a series of information on teachers and institutions that offer instruction related to Viennese Tuning.

***
Rinat Ibragimov's discussion on Viennese Tuning:

For the visual learners, there is a YouTube video of Rinat Ibragimov on Viennese Tuning. In this video, Rinat Ibragimov discussed the practice of Viennese Tuning on the double bass. He has made particular reference to the concertos of Vanhal and Ditters von Dittersdorf. The video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGd2hgfhUrA

***

Julian Li Yongrui will be performing in the Goh Soon Tioe Award 2013 Winner's Recital

Congratulations to Julian Li Yongrui, double bassist, who has been awarded the 2013 Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award. "This award is an endowed fund administered by the Community Foundation of Singapore, to commemorate the birth centenary of Goh Soon Tioe (1911 - 1982), Singapore's pioneer violinist, pedagogue, impresario and conductor" (source: https://www.facebook.com/GohSoonTioeCentenaryAward).

Julian Li Yongrui will be performing in the Goh Soon Tioe Award 2013 Winner's Recital in August 2013. The details are as follow:

Goh Soon Tioe Award 2013 Winner's Recital
by JULIAN LI YONGRUI, double bass
and SIM YI KAI, piano

31 Aug 2013 (Sat)
8.00 p.m.
Metropolitan YMCA Ballroom
60 Stevens Road
Singapore


Programme:
Sonata in g minor (a minor solo tuning) - Henry Eccles
I - Largo
II - Courante
III - Adagio
IV - Vivace

Variations on theme 'Greensleeves' - Knut Gruettler

Sonata in F major, op. 17 (transcribed for d.bass) - Ludwig van Beethoven
I - Allegro moderato
II - Poco adagio, quasi andante
III - Rondo : Allegro moderato

Concerto no. 1 in f-sharp minor - Giovanni Bottesini
I - Allegro moderato
II - Adantino
III - Allegro con fuoco


A limited number of donation tickets at a minimum of S$25 are available to the general public. Please contact Olivia at <goh.soon.tioe.fund@gmail.com>

Also see the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/146014712264468/