Double bass concerto

A bass concerto is a concerto for double bass as a solo instrument and orchestra. First double bass concerts originated in the Late Classic, among others by Domenico Dragonetti and John Untersperger. Other early double bass concertos by Johann Baptist Vanhal, Carl Ditter von Dittersdorf and Haydn, the latter, however, is missing. The double bass is still not considered a typical solo instrument. In comparison with the other string instruments, the choice of double bass concertos is relatively small. This is also because the bass relatively quiet sounds as a solo instrument and it is therefore difficult to tune soloist and orchestra together. In addition, virtuoso bassists were rare. It is virtuosos such as Giovanni Bottesini or Sergei Koussevitzky thanks to them that the solo repertoire was extended for double bass and are also interested in well-known composers for the double bass as a solo instrument. Only in the 20th century many new works were composed for bass, among others, Edward Tubin, Hans Werner Henze and John Harbison.