Born in Crema, northern Italy, in 1821, Bottesini was not only a leading double bass player
and conductor, but also a successful composer whose prolific output included at least ten
operas as well as numerous sacred and orchestral works. His popularity today, however, is
largely due to the extensive range of pieces he wrote – both concerti and solo – for the
double bass. Fundamental to the instrument’s repertoire, these works have been widely
published and even feature in the syllabuses of examining boards and conservatoires
around the world.

Dubbed the ‘Paganini’ of the double bass, Bottesini effectively exploited the technical
possibilities of the instrument, thus furthering its history. His ability to understand its
idiosyncrasies resulted in idiomatic writing that, combined with his passion for opera, is
extremely lyrical – as evident in this recording, which perfectly encapsulates the variety and
style found within his works for double bass and piano. The disc features, among others,
popular arias by Bellini and Paisiello which contain wide-ranging cadenza-like passages that
demand mastery of the fingerboard and phenomenal bow control: here we encounter
Bottesini the showman, and are exposed to the ‘bel canto’ style that was such an intrinsic
part of opera at that time.

Performed by the talented Stefano Sciascia and David Giovanni Leonardi, this is a feast of
virtuosic display not to be missed, and reveals how the double bass – an instrument not
generally associated with solo repertoire – is capable of holding its own, and to great effect.