CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR DOUBLE BASS
The double bass has undergone a remarkable transformation in contemporary classical music, emerging as a soloistic and expressive instrument with a rich palette of colors and extended techniques. My works for double bass explore its lyrical warmth, percussive energy, and dramatic resonance. The sections below present my contributions to the modern double bass repertoire across solo, chamber, vocal, and stage settings.
Contemporary Music for Double Bass — Modern Works by Lior Navok
The double bass has always drawn me with its depth, warmth, and quiet expressive power. In my contemporary music for double bass, I’m especially interested in the instrument’s ability to ground an ensemble while also stepping forward with a surprisingly lyrical, human voice.
For performers seeking modern chamber music, solo repertoire, or contemporary stage works featuring the double bass, these pieces offer a focused but expressive palette — from grounded resonance to unexpected lyricism.
UNACCOMPANIED DOUBLE BASS
Big Mouse
3' 30" | double bass solo
CHAMBER MUSIC WITH DOUBLE BASS
for chamber ensemble
15' | recorders (3), clarinet, trumpet, trombone, guitar, percussion, violin, double bass
Three Episodes for Chamber Ensemble
for chamber ensemble
12' | flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, percussion (1), piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass
VOCAL MUSIC WITH DOUBLE BASS
STAGE MUSIC WITH DOUBLE BASS
for narrator and ensemble
31' | actress, violins (2), viola, cello double bass and piano
for actress and chamber ensemble / chamber orchestra
36' | actress, flute / piccolo, clarinet, percussion (1), two pianos and string quintet
OR
actress, flute / piccolo, clarinet, percussion (1), two pianos and string section
Sheet Music for Double Bass:
About Contemporary Cello Repertoire
The double bass repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries includes a wide range of solo works, sonatas, chamber pieces, and concert works that have expanded the instrument’s expressive identity. The list below highlights influential pieces that are frequently performed, studied, and recorded. This curated selection is offered as a resource for performers and teachers exploring contemporary classical double bass music, alongside my own contributions to the repertoire.
Key 20th–21st Century Double Bass Repertoire
Solo Double Bass
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Luciano Berio – Sequenza XIVb – 2004
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Elliott Carter – Figment III – 2007
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Jacob Druckman – Valentine – 1969
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Peteris Vasks – Bass Trip – 2003
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Brian Ferneyhough – Trittico per G.S. – 1989
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Kaija Saariaho – Folia – 1995
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Teppo Hauta-aho – Kadenza – 1984
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Joëlle Léandre – Taxi – 1987
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Stefano Scodanibbio – Sei Studi – 1981–1983
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Iannis Xenakis – Theraps – 1976
Double Bass Chamber and Multimedia Works
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George Crumb – Madrigals, Book II – 1965
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Karlheinz Stockhausen – Tierkreis – 1974–1975
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John Cage – Ryoanji – 1983–1985
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Steve Reich – Electric Counterpoint (Bass version) – 1987
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Gérard Grisey – Anubis-Nout – 1983
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Galina Ustvolskaya – Composition No. 2 "Dies Irae" – 1973
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Sofia Gubaidulina – Five Pantomimes – 1980
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Tom Johnson – Failing: A Very Difficult Piece for Solo String Bass – 1975
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Morton Feldman – Composition for Cello and Upright Bass – 1961
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Mario Lavista – Dusk – 1980
Double Bass Concertos
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James MacMillan – Double Bass Concerto – 2012
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Tan Dun – Wolf Totem – 2015
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Eduard Tubin – Double Bass Concerto – 1948
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Hans Werner Henze – Concerto per contrabbasso – 1966
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Nikos Skalkottas – Concerto for Double Bass – 1942
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Einojuhani Rautavaara – Angel of Dusk – 1980
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Jean Françaix – Concerto pour contrebasse – 1974
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Gunther Schuller – Concerto for Double Bass – 1962
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Peter Maxwell Davies – Strathclyde Concerto No. 7 – 1992
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Kalevi Aho – Double Bass Concerto – 2005