Gary Karr, Harmon Lewis – Basso Cantante (1980) [Japan 2014] [SACD / Firebird – KIGC 1005]

Title: Gary Karr, Harmon Lewis – Basso Cantante (1980) [Japan 2014]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Gary Karr, acclaimed as “the world’s leading solo bassist”, is, in fact, the first solo doublebassist in history to make that pursuit a full-time career. This release features Gary Karr performing with Harmon Lewis on piano for a group of classical pieces, folk songs, and carols by Schubert, Rachmaninov, Saint-Saens, and more.

Karr not only brings a freshness of approach to an old, neglected instrument (the doublebass), he also brings new life to the recital stage. He is concerned with elevating the image of the instrument and fully demonstrating his musicality by transcribing great music from the masters. He also dares to make us laugh with trite or funny music, a wealth of which has been composed for the doublebass. Although it features Schubert’s “Arpeggione Sonata”, the gem on this recording is a Canadian folksong, “When I Wake Up in the Morning.” It has been a staple encore piece of the Karr/Lewis Duo for 30 years since they lived in Nova Scotia.

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Tracklist:

01. Franz Schubert: Arpeggione Sonate – I. Allegro
02. Franz Schubert: Arpeggione Sonate – II. Adagio
03. Franz Schubert: Arpeggione Sonate – III. Allegretto
04. Sergei Rachmaninoff: Vocalise Op.34 No.14
05. Camille Saint-Saëns: La Cygne
06. Scott Joplin: The Entertainer
07. Rentaro Taki: Kojo No Tsuki (Arranged by Gary Karr)
08. Nova Scotian Folksong: When I Wake Up In The Morning
09. Catalonian Carol: El Noi De La Mare
10. Catalonian Carol: Fum, Fum, Fum
11. Catalonian Carol: El Cant Dels Ocells (Arranged by Pablo Casals)

Personnel:

Gary Karr – double bass
Harmon Lewis – piano

Note:

Recorded on May 28 & 29, 1980 at the King Records Studio #1, Tokyo.
Original analogue 2-channels recording. Firebird/King Records Japan # KIGC 1005.

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