Giovanno Bottesini (Dec. 22, 1821 - July 7, 1889) was born in Crema, Italy, and began his early musical education with his father, an accomplished clarinetist and composer. Later on in his life, Bottesini wanted to enter the Milan Conservatory on violin, but lacked the funds. The school only had two scholarships available, for bassoon and double bass. Within a matter of weeks, Bottesini prepared a successful audition on the double bass, and four years later began touring as a soloist, known as "The Paganini of the double bass".

In addition to playing bass, Bottesini was busy as a composer. He wrote several works for his instrument, including Fantasia on "La Sonnambula." Based on themes in the opera La Sonnambula  by Vincenzo Bellini, this work is highly virtuosic for the instrument. After a brief introduction from the piano, the bass begins with an ascending arpeggio-like line that carries on a bit before opening to a wonderfully rich melody. The next melodic part for the bass is the beginning of the real virtuosic magic of the instrument, as the melody is played with harmonic right at the end and past the fingerboard. There are several arpeggio leaps around the bass, and double stops as well. A variation follows that section, and is just difficult and impressive as the one before. The double bass then plays another related melody, followed by another variation that spans the entire range of the instrument. It's a charming piece filled with both technical and melodic work, and brings out the full potential of the double bass.

Here are some recordings of this fun work:

Thomas Martin
Ovidiu Badila