Eugene Levinson Bass Day at GustavusSeptember 28 at 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Gustavus bass day will be headlined by Eugene Levinson, one of the all-time greatest soloists, orchestral musicians, and teachers of the double bass. It will be a day of masterclasses, orchestral coaching, technique sessions, bass choirs, performances, and stories from Levinson's remarkable life in music. Levinson recently retired from his positions as Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic and Bass Professor at Juilliard. Previously Principal Bass of the Minnesota Orchestra and Bass Professor at Peabody Conservatory, the University of Minnesota, and St. Olaf College, Levinson had a distinguished career in the Soviet Union as a member of the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) Philharmonic, Principal Bass of the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra, solo bassist on the Melodya Label,and Mark Kausch. He and his wife Gina and son Gary immigrated to the United States in 1977 where he rapidly established himself as a leading bassist in this country. He has released several notable recordings including his bass transcriptions of the Franck D Minor Sonata and other works, and a solo album on the New York Legends recording series, featuring principal players of the New York Philharmonic.
Levinson will coach a masterclass of students playing solo and orchestral selections. Masterclass participants will be chosen by teacher recommendations and should provide their own accompanists, if needed. Levinson will also lead a bass sectional on standard orchestral excerpts from Beethoven's 5th and 9th Symphonies and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, focusing on fundamental elements of bass technique. His goal in this class is to impart how to effectively play in an orchestra bass section. "It's not about What to play, but How to play."
Several of Levinson's "next generation" of bass teachers, including Gustavus Bass Professor Rolf Erdahl; Brigham Young Conductor and Bass Professor Eric Hansen; and former Peabody Conservatory Bass Professor Paul Johnson, will present talks on aspects of bass technique. The day concludes with a recital featuring performances by the Levinsons, his past students, participants in the day's masterclass, and a mass bass choir of all participants.
Gustavus Bass day is open to all bassists of all ages and abilities. The Levinson masterclass and orchestral studies class are for advanced High School, college, and post-grad bassists with solo or orchestral experience. Both bass choir pieces include parts suitable for all levels of playing with parts I-III of Eye of the Tiger for more advanced players and part IV and the lower octave version of the Mahler for any level of experience. All major events in Björling are open to participants and the public.
Register by Sept. 26, at noon, to be considered as Masterclass performers:
https://forms.gle/P5HJWeV9acfJSJ8B8
Tentative schedule for Eugene Levinson Bass Day at Gustavus:
9:00 am Registration: Outside Björling Recital Hall. Sign in, name tags, schedules, questions answered. All events in Björling unless otherwise noted. Masterclass performers warmup/soundcheck 9:00-9:45 am.
9:45 am Welcome: Björling Recital Hall: Introduction of guests and faculty, logistics for the day.
10-12:00Eugene Levinson Solo & Orchestral Excerpt Master Class Participants chosen by teacher recommendation and repertoire.
12:00-1:00 Lunch - included in registration.
12:00-5:00Vendors, college info, informal bass chats. All Strings Attached instruments and supplies; Groth Music sheet music; Guest and Faculty Artist books, sheet Music, and recordings;.catalogs of music and supplies, Bass resource handouts, Gustavus admissions info.
1:00-2:00 Levinson Orchestra Sectional Class - Beethoven Symphony 5 trio, Beethoven Symphony 9 Recitative, Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet.
2:00-2:30 Beginner and intermediate coaching sessionsand bass choir prep. Vendors, Book and CD signings.
2:30-3:30 Technique Topics - Ensemble Room Rolf Erdahl, Eric Hansen, and Paul Johnson . Bring your basses to play along.
3:30-4:00 additional young bassist coaching - Location TBA
4:00 Dress Rehearsal for afternoon recital. - Ensemble Room
Bass choir ensembles conducted by Paul Johnson All invited to perform! Eye of the Tiger and Mahler 1 bass solo as a round. Start with full bass choir and move to smaller groups and solos.
5:00Levinson Music and Memories- Björling Recital Hall
5:30 Participant Concert - Björling Recital Hall
Masterclass soloists, faculty solos and ensembles, bass choir. All are invited to perform in the grand finale of the recital - Mahler's 1st Symphony bass solo and Eye of the Tiger. We expect a glorious and memorable rumbling!
6:30-7:00pmReception
Audio files and music sheet can be found here.