Two weeks ago Tonya, the jazz singer, announced at a gig at Hambones, that the Bass Quartet would be playing at Andy's, and I almost jumped out of my skin. My husband and I cleared our schedules and went to their performance tonight. The pieces were unique (perhaps contemporary?) combining their low, haunting tones and melodies with unexpected sounds, scratches, harmonics, and thwacks with the back of the bow. I felt like I grew an extra lobe to my brain because of the intricacies of the music. The first piece was "Oblivia." They played pieces by Prokofiev arranged by Aaron. Jeff and Aaron played duets. One bassist played Bach's Cello Suite Prelude (thank you!). There was an arrangement by John Moore and Andersen's arrangements of Wedding Music I and II with another piece included. As I listened I remembered the wonderful, rich sounds of my father's voice. Everything they played tonight resonates with me so much that I could easily use it as the soundtrack for my life. One of the musicians said in the middle ages "gambas" (bass string instruments) were used in church music because their low sound complemented the singers. Just gambas. Not much showcasing of basses since then, which emphasizes how unique this opportunity was. Their performance also resonates with me because I am a high-functioning introvert who is often in the background. These world class bass players usually play a supporting role in symphony concerts, but now they could dance all over their strings and be fascinating by themselves. Let me say that again, tonight I was inches away from musicians who are in the smallest sliver of their top percentile IN THE WORLD, playing for the joy of it! And there is nothing I enjoy more than bass strings. If there is Karma, then I did something to make the Universe VERY HAPPY, therefore I got the opportunity to listen to the Pittsburgh Symphony Bass Quartet play for 3 hours tonight.
