BASS News
The British & International Bass Forum
Summer 2002 / No. 32
Music Reviews by Max Christiansen
“Michael Hovnanian has taken a great deal of care and attention to make this as approachable and playable as possible and includes a page of ‘Critical Notes’ listing the changes and amendments.
With the bass part now written in C major (sounding D major) some of the passages which were easy in orchestral tuning are more challenging in the new key, but Hovnanian gives excellent explanations for his changes and amendments.
Over the years many bassists have ‘customized’ the bass part to make it more idiomatic and musical, and it is good to see that this edition has carefully considered each phrase, both musically and technically, producing a work that should find even more friends. Bars 62-77 in the third movement may be a challenge, but an ossia is also included.
The edition is beautifully produced on a good quality paper, with effective page turns and two copies for rehearsal purposes, but both players will have to play from the same copy for the page turns to work. Recommended.”