This guy is a good human being as well as a brilliant musician. He was my jazz band director in undergrad and friend beyond that. He can fill halls as a solo bassist around the world, and he can sit down and have a beer with you. He can also sing Donna Lee in solfege!
Rotaru is perhaps the greatest double bassist alive. As a bassist myself, we have always bemoaned the lack of great solo literature for the instrument, Rotaru has blown that myth out of the water- the guy plays it all with jaw-dropping technical facility and complete musicality, Truly astonishing!
@@bassocat You arranged it for Double Bass by ear, I can't seem to find the sheet music for the Solo Violin part arranged for Bass cause you forgot to write it down on staff paper. I figured out I could play the Solo Violin part down an Octave on a 5 String Cello tuned C, G, D, A, E.
Awesome! Hearing & watching you play proves that we basses can play anything with the right foundational skills of both hands & lots of listening & watching. Thanks, thanks!
It is a very important step on the double bass technic development. Congratulations!. It is the only version of this concerto I will consider to listen from now on. It sounds two octaves lower then Mozart intended so the difficulties are increased. Exemplar, didactic, and almost philosophical interpretation. It is not about the "scordatura" and it is not played on the piccolo bass with convenient strings tuning. Thank you Master and leader of all the double bass classical soloists of the world.
Many thanks Mr. Marzec for your kind comment! We all try to show the true and almost unlimited potential of the bass as a solo instrument. Happy Holidays!
10 лет назад
Bravo Catalin! I agree with Mr. Matzec, you give an example for geneations to come! thank you for clearing new works from the great composers and prove that they can be played perfectly, with a beautiful sound, musical, and this makes grow the db from orchestra as the F1 race does for the normal cars... :-)))
I agree at how amazing this is, but do you even know what interpretation means? How could you call this a philosophical interpretation, he did not take any existential, metaphysical, epistemological approach to this piece; he played it like any player would. Clearly you've never listened to Hillary Hahn's interpretation, in fact given that this piece has a standard interpretation (except that cadenza was one of a kind!), you've probably never heard this piece from various performers. I understand that you enjoyed this piece (I enjoyed it as well!!) but I strongly disagree about your opinion on the interpretation and I'm thinking you likely are sugar-coating
Andres Martin said the same-when I start any recording or Catalan playing a transcription I think should be played on the bass-he plays it better than the original intended instrument! Absolutely insane! Musical beyond words and transcends technical challenges-! Few people in world history of the bass who can pull this off! Yes-even a recording on the iPhone -it becomes uninterrupted infectious listening and musically beyond fulfilling! Bravo Catalan! Can’t stop listening to this giant of the bass and music!
My dear Barry, Thank you so much for your very kind words! This is the best reward any musician performer can get..... Happy holidays to you and a healthy and prosperous New Year! 🤗
damm Catalin, always the same thing with you!! I just can´t "Start" viewing your videos... because when I do I end up "glued" to the computer watchin the whole thing and then watching again trying to guess how you did it!!!! This its just amazing... increidble good interpretation, wonderful recording and sound... Too sad that Mozart didn´t met you in the past! Big congrats again, maestro!!!
La sola diferencia entre tú y yo, Martín, es que, faltando la menor habilidad en tocar cualquier instrumento, nunca me pregunto trantando de adivinar cómo él lo hace. Nomás doy gracias que sí lo hace! Y que haya tipos como tí, que imagino saquen aún más placer que yo, por poder escuchar más profundamente. Sarvamangalam!
@@therussmeister Thank you for your comment. I found the video you suggested. I am quite well acquainted with much of Mozart’s orchestral and instrumental works, but very sadly ignorant when it comes to his vocal output. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance, enhanced because work for the solo double bass is lacking. Thank you again for suggesting it.
@@bassocat I imagine if you String the Bass up with Fifths Tuning Strings (C, G, D, A) not only will the Bass have better intonation with the rest of the String Section but it's also very melodic so you canactuallly play by reading off from Cello Sheet Music. In this case Mozart's 5th Violin Concerto in A Major transcribed for Cello so you can play with the same fingerings on the 5ths tuned bass and it'll sound an Octave lower.
I've just searched YT to see if there is an arrangement of a violin concerto for cello or double bass, and I found this video in which you perform this Mozart violin concerto. I am just blown away, your playing made me think I would enjoy those melodies played rather on low voice than on the high pitched violin sound. The bass sounds so humble yet magnifico! Bravo!
@@bassocat Playing Violin or Cello Concertos on the Double Bass would be easier if you restring it with Fifths Tuning Strings and Fifths tuning on a Double Bass is the same as Cello but an Octave lower. The advantage to Fifths tuning on a Double bass is that it broadens the range, and it also solves lots of intonation issues.
When I have heard this number from Anne-Sophie Mutter, just a half an hour ago, I feel like as if I would be a young adoult, full with hope, trusting in the future, now - listening to your music, I feel like as an elderly man, who thinks, that the end is near and I'm crying. That's the life. Thank you, you are perfect.
@@bassocat I can't even find the Sheet music for the Solo Double Bass part (Alternative to Solo Violin) because the Double bass version isn't played by many musicians. I think this might be perfect for Garry Karr.
@@bassocat I can't even find the Sheet music for the Solo Double Bass part (Alternative to Solo Violin) because the Double bass version isn't played by many musicians. I think this might be perfect for Garry Karr.
@@bassocat I can't even find the Sheet music for the Solo Double Bass part (Alternative to Solo Violin) because the Double bass version isn't played by many musicians. I think this might be perfect for Garry Karr.
@@bassocat I can't even find the Sheet music for the Solo Double Bass part (Alternative to Solo Violin) because the Double bass version isn't played by many musicians. I think this might be perfect for Garry Karr.
I can't get enough of this !!! I think if mozart heard this hed say the turkish music makes even more sense this way and he would write sonatas and concerti and more quintets with double bass and more interesdting bass in the symphonies. All of music history changed because of instruments and composers ideas .think how things would be in music NOW ? ! ! Finally started my double bass concerto . This reminded me of the possibilities and the Proto works are great music. the cadenza has me screaming in my house. no triple stops on double bass? I want glissandi in double notes. I must come up with new sounds. I have some serious thinking to do. the orchestra sounds very good here probably just the right sound instead of typical large orchestras of today . textures clear so fitting. what does a single note tremolo sound like on db. your trills wonderful here. its no trick it is still beautiful music the slow movement sounds better at this octave!!!
oNE OF MY FAVE VIOLIN CONCERTI. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW WONDERFUL HE SOUNDS ! i'M ECSTATIC. THE INTERVALS ARE SO FAR AWAY ON THE DBL BASS.hOW CAN IT BE POSSIBLE.aND HE KEEPS THE mOZARTEAN grace and style1 Phenmenal.I was looking doe music of Donatoni and Frank Proto who has written many bass concerti and lucked up on this 18th century treasure. Marvelous. Im gonna write a double bass concerto now just stared a harpsichord concerto. Hopefully it will show what Ive learbed from Elliott Carter
I know. It is hard to believe how he can just go up and down the strings like that. I am a 40 something just learning to play cello. One day maybe I can play half as good.
As you know, I listen to you a lot. Your technical prowess speaks for itself, however did you study with a violinist? The intonation of your double stops are amazing. What kind of bass are you playing? What strings are you using and what tuning are you using? The efficiency and sound of the bow are unsurpassed and the left hand is that of a great violinist.
Many thanks for your kind words! I'll try to answer some of your questions. No, I've never worked on the piece with any violinist but just simply listened to some good recordings. The instrument is actually a very new double bass and the tuning I'm using is normal solo tuning, nothing special. I'm using Pirastro on the upper strings and Thomastik on the lower. Thanks again for listening and best wishes!
Amazing skill, amazing technique , amazing musicianship. I played base years ago and know how hard it is to play like this, very few manage to master it to this level . Truly fantastic thanks for sharing your playing with us.
I am an adult just learning the cello. It's not easy, because you have to learn from practice, practice, practice where your fingers go on those strings. I played flute and clarinet. At least with those instruments, you knew which keys to push. It was a matter of having your mouth correct. But the cello. You just have to get a sense of what part of the string(s) your finger should press to get the right note. But it's worth the effort I think.
@@jdstep97 You can actully tune the Double Bass in Fifths with Obligato Fifths tuned Double Bass Strings this way as a Cellist you can actually pick up the Double Bass and play it.
@UC1l30YP6nyJdnlQXFavFaWA I've played it on a Double Bass by re-stringing it in Fifths tuning so I can play the Solo Violin part down 2 Octaves more easily.
@@bassocat I could call it the Joachim Rotaru cadenza cause it's the Joachim Violin candenza arranged for Double Bass. Since when did you learn to play Mozart's 5'th Violin Concerto on the Bass Violin? The Solo Tuned Bass has the same range as a Violin but 2 Octaves lower.
@@bassocat Joachim Cadenzas played on the Double Bass, I couldn't recongnize them the 1'st time cause they were being played down 2 Octaves. Playing Violin Concertos on the Double Bass would be easier if you restring it with Fifths Tuning Strings (C, G, D, A) same as a Cello but an Octave Lower. The advantage of Fifths tuning on the Double Bass is that it both Broadens the range, and solves lots of intonation issues.
You might need a 5 String Double Bass Strung up with Fifths Tuning Strings plus a High E so that way you can read off the Violin sheet music and it'll sound 2 Octaves lower than written.
@@bassocat It's a whole step above E Standard Tuning cause the Solo Tuning Strings are thinner than regular Strings. Those are Johann Kim Cadenzas but I couldn't recognize them cause they were being played down 2 Octaves. You could try Fifths Tuning Strings (C, G, D, A) an Octave below the Cello cause it'll make playing Cello Concertos alot simpler. Fifths tuning will also solve intonation issues on your Bass.
Excelent, great. I am most impressed. Congratulations, Maestro! It is a severe oversight though not mentioning the orchestra. I searched a lot with Google and found nothing. Could anyone fill in this most important information, please?
Thank you so much for taking time to listen! About the orchestra, they are mostly my friends and former colleagues currently playing with major symphony orchestras in Bucharest. I simply asked them to play with me this concert 😊 Best wishes to you!
@@bassocat You were playing in a Tenor Clef Key G major. I know how you arranged it for Double Bass. Didn't you listen to the original Violin version just before arranging it for Double Bass?
Thx for so fast answer. Like your perfomances. Im trying to get some features of your style) as much as Rinat Ibrahimov's style and Gary Karr's style) You are all masters of bass but so different. Thank you once more for your job. Best wishes from Ukraine. A lot of students and teachers loves you here.
Catalin Rotaru I'd rather play this on a Five String Double Bass tuned in Fifths so that way the Solo Violin part would sound 2 Octaves lower than written.
CircuitsAndStrings 2 Mr Stern Very sadly I haven’t a clue what you mean, but if you have taken the time to write your comment and nobody has argued against it, I would love to hear it to have a comparison.
@@artfuldodger4850 What I mean by that is there's a special Double Bass that has 5 Strings tuned in Fifths and can cover any Violin Sheet Music sounding 2 Octaves lower than written and it's called 5Bass (Tomya Aromi plays the 5Bass).
*sees soloist sitting with a "double bass"* YOU CAN SIT IN A CHAIR WITH THOSE??? ITS ALMOST AS SMALL AS A CELLO! Then I remembered that we have different sized stringed instruments for reasons.
C'est un deux tiers contrebasse , entre le violoncelle mais qui sonne d'avantage contrebasse .C'est bien ainsi d'avoir un interprète original de qualité.
That makes sense. I thought there were double basses that were bigger. But the one he has in this video is so beautiful, an absolutely beautiful instrument.
A concert like this... performed at an incredible level.... and you cris G. are speaking about the dimensions of the bass and a chair....American level of culture equal to zero.....
Remarkable bass playing! My only comment would be not to play with standard orchestration. Fewer strings perhaps play w strings leaving out winds who overpower. In spite of beautiful playing, bass does not cut through as dies violin. But Bravo for such playing....My late great father Oscar Shumsky has a very great recording on RU-vid which I think will inspire! Eric Shumsky