Article Lists:

Violone and Contrabass Articles:

It may come as a surprise to many to realize that so much has been published concerning the history and development of double bass instruments. Until recently almost all of the available materials took the form of smaller articles published in fairly obscure specialty journals. But viewed as a whole, and with the addition of a handful of books and dissertations, double bass history should now be fairly accessible. Whether as an overview of 16' usage, the make-up of the basso continuo or with an eye to exploring a specific instrument (such as the "great bass viol" or the "Viennese double bass"), players and scholars alike will find these publications a great resource. Additionally, those interested in this subject should visit the ISB's Online Journal of Bass Research, as well as Jerry Fuller's Double Bass and Violone Internet Archive and Silvio Dalla Torre's website.

  • Ackerman, A.D. An Introduction to Violone Playing
  • Ackerman, Andrew. Violone Verismo: Historically Informed Practice.
    Double Bassist #3, 1997
  • Albrecht, Theodore. Anton Grams: Beethoven's Preferred Double Bassist. ISB XXVI #2, 2002
  • Allsop, Peter. Role of Stringed Bass as Continuo Instrument in
    Italian 17th Century Instrumental Music. Chelys VIII, 1978-79
  • Baines, Francis. The 5-String Fretted Double Bass. GSJ XLI, 1988
  • Baines, Francis. Fantasias for the Great Dooble Bass. Chelys II, 1970
  • Baines, Francis. What Exactly is a Violone? EM V, 1977
  • Baines, Francis. Der Brummende Violone. GSJ XXIII, 1970
  • Barket, James and Alfred Planyavsky. Bibliography
  • Barket, Hames. Music in the Vienna Double Bass Archive. ISB XXIV #2, 2000
  • Bonta, Stephen. Studies in Italian Sacred and Instrumental Music in the 17th Century. Aashgate, 2003
  • Bonta, Stephen. From Violone to Violoncello: A Question of Strings? JAMIS III, 1977
  • Bonta, Stephen. Terminology for the Bass Violin
    in 17th Century Italy    . JAMIS IV, 1978
  • Bonta, Stephen. The Use of Instruments in Sacred Music in Italy
    1560-1700. EM XVIII, 1990
  • Bonta, Stephen. Five Essential Errors in Planyavsky's Baroque Double Bass Violone. Journal of 17th Century Music, Vol. 6 #2, 2000
  • Borgir, Tharald. Performance of Basso Continuo in Italian Music.
    UMI Research Press, 1977 and 1987
  • Borghir, Tharald and Planyavsky, Alfred. What Is a Violone? New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1980.
  • Brun, Paul. A History of the Double Bass. Paris, 1989
  • Brun, Paul. A New History of the Double Bass. Paris, 2000
  • Burnett, Henry. Bowed String Instruments of the Continuo-Italy & France: The Basso Continuo. JVdGSA VII, 1970
  • Burnett, Henry. Bowed String Instruments of the Continuo-Italy & France: The Various Meanings of the Term "Violone." JVdGSA VIII 1971
    le Compte, Korneel. Viennese Tuning. ISB 1991-2 XVIII 1
  • Chapman, David. Historical and Practical Considerations for the Tuning of Double Bass Instruments in Fourths. GSJ, 2003
  • Cyr, Mary. Basses and Basse Continue in the Orchestra of the Paris Opera. EM X, 1982
  • Cyr, Mary. "The Basso Continuo" (In Performing Baroque Music).
    Amadeus Press, 1992
  • Dixon, Graham. Continuo Scoring in the Early Baroque: The Role of Bowed-Bass Instruments. Chelys XV, 1986
  • Dreyfus, Laurence. Bach's Continuo Group. Harvard University Press, 1987
  • Fink, Bernhard M. Die Geschichte des Kontrabasses und seine Trennung vom Violoncello in der Orchestralen Instrumentation. Gustav Bosse Verlag, 1974
  • Finson, Jon W. The Violone in Bach's Brandenburg Concerti. GSJ XXIX, 1976
  • Focht, Josef. Der Wiener Kontrabass. Hans Schneider Verlag, 1999
  • Fuller, Jerry. Back to Basics - An Approach to Early Music.
    Double Bassist Magazine #6, Summer 1998
  • Fuller, Jerry. In Our Mind's Ear: Playing Baroque Music on
    Baroque Instruments. ISB XXIV #2, 2000
  • Gajdos, Miloslaw. Zum Vorkommen von Kontrabass-Kompositionen aud der zweiten Halfte des 18. Jahrhunderts. Michaelstein/Blankenburg, 1988
  • Gajdos, Miloslaw. Zeitgemasse und heutige Interpretation der Kontrabass-Kompositionen aus der zweiten Halfte der 18. Jahrhunderts. Michaelstein/Blankenburg, 1988
  • Gajdos, Miloslav. Der schopferische Nachlass von Johann Matthias Sperger. Sperger Forum #1, 2001
  • Gandara, Xose Crisanto. El Violon Iberico. Revista de Musicologia, 1999
  • Gandara, Xose Crisanto. La Escuela de Contrabajo en Espana.
    Revista de Musicologia , 2000
  • Gandara, Xose Crisanto. Algunos Aspectos sobre el Contrabajo en la Musica de Luigi Boccherini. Revista de Musicologia, 2000
  • Gandara, Xose Crisanto. The Double Bass in the Chamber Music of Luigi Boccherini. ISB XXVI #1, 2002
  • Gloeckler, Tobias. Von verschollenen Autographen und
    "Verstimmten" Kontrabassen. Das Orchester IX, 1997
  • Gloeckler, Tobias. Ein Ganz Besonders "Schmankerl:" Hoffmeisters Konzert No. 1 fur Kontrabass und Orchester. Das Orchester 9/02
  • Greenberg, Michael. The Double Bass Class at the Paris Conservatory, 1826-1832. JAMIS XXVI, 2000
  • Greenberg, Michael. Perfecting the Storm: The Rise of the Double Bass in France, 1701-1815. OJBR I, July 2003
  • Gstrein, Rainer. Die Bassgeige in der usuellen Musik Osterreichs im 19. Jahrhundert. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
    Halfpenny, Eric. A Note on the Genealogy of the Double Bass. GSJ I, 1948
  • Hartmann, Erich. The Development of the Double Bass and Its Schools in Prague, Vienna and Leipzig. ISB 1983 IX 3
  • Holman, Peter. George Jeffries and the Great Dooble Base. Chelys V, 1973/74
  • Holman, Peter. Con nobilissimo esercitio della vivuola:
    Monteverdi's String Writing. EM #21, 1993
  • Jacobson, Harry. Edition of an Unpublished Solo-Quartet
    by Hoffmeister. ISB 1988 XV 1
  • Jones, David Wyn. Vanhal, Dittersdorf and the Violone. EM X, 1982
  • Kearns, Andrew. The Orchestral Serenade in 18th Century Salzburg.
    Journal of Musicological Research XVI #3, 1997
  • Koopman, Ton. Recording Bach's Early Cantatas. EM 1996
  • Lambert, Jim. Bibliography of Articles About the History of the Double Bass
  • Leavis, Ralph. J.S.Bach's Violone Parts. 1977
  • Lehning, Steve. Rumblings. ISB 1995 XX 1
  • Malusi, Lauro. Il Violone e Il Suo Impiego Nei Secoli Passati. Nuovo Revista Musicale Italiana XIII, 1979
  • Martius, Klaus and Moens, Karel. Wie authentisch ist ein Original?
    Concerto, June 1988
  • McClure, Theron. The Violone. ISB III #1, 1976
  • McClure, Theron. Bach's Bass. ISB VIII #1, 1981
  • Meier, Adolf. Konzertante Muzik fur Kontrabass in der Wiener Klassik.
    Musikverlag Emil Katzbichler, 1969, 1979
  • Meier, Adolf. Der Wiener Kontrabass und seine Spieltechnik in der Zeit der Wiener Klassik. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Meier, Adolf. Vienna Double Bass and Its Technique. ISB 1987 XIII 3
  • Meier, Adolf. The Vienna Double Bass and Its Technique During the Era
    of the Vienna Classic. ISB 1987 XIII 3
  • Meier, Adolf. Thematisches Werkverzeichnis der Komponistionen von Johannes Sperger. Michaelstein/Blankenburg, D21, 1990
  • Meier, Adolf. Johannes Sperger - die fuhrende Personlichkeit
    der Wiener Kontrabassschule Im Zeitalter der Wiener Klassik. Michaelstein/Blankenburg, H36, 1988
  • Moens, Karel. Entwichlung von Baumerkmalen im Fruhen Bassstreichinstrumentenbau. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Morton, Joëlle. The Early History and Use of the G Violone. VdGSA 1999
  • Morton, Joëlle. Haydn's Missing Double Bass Concerto. ISB XXII 3, 1997
  • Morton, Joëlle. Back to the Future: The Renaissance of the Violone.
    Double Bassist Magazine #12, 2000
  • Morton, Joëlle. The Eccles Sonata. ISB XXV #1, 2001
  • Morton, Joëlle. Evolution Theory: A Bass By Any Other Name. Double Bassist Magazine Vol. 21, Summer 2002
  • Myers, Herbert. Renaissance Viol Tunings: A Reconsideration. JVdGSA 2007-8
  • Myers, Herbert. The Sizes and Tunings of Early Viols: Some Questions
    (and a Few Answers). JVdGSA 2001
  • Myron, Richard. Rumblings. ISB XXII #2, 1998
  • Palmer, Fiona. Domenico Dragonetti In England (1794-1846). Oxford University Press, 1997
  • Peterson, Alf. Der Kontrabass In der Koniglich Schwedischen Hofkapelle. Michaelstein/Blankenburg, H36, 1988
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Geschichte des Kontrabasses. Hans Schneider Verlag, 1970, 1984
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Correspondence to H. Burnett VdGSA 1973
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Zehn Jahre Wiener Kontrabassarchiv. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. (James Barket, trans) The Baroque Double Bass Violone. Scarecrow Press, 1998
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Der Barockkontrabass Violone (2nd Edition), Hans Schneider Verlag, 1998
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Der Violone der Handel- und Bach-Zeit.
    Michaelstein/Blankenburg H7, 1978
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Get the Picture: The Double Bass in 16th and 17th Century Art. Double Bassist #17, 2001
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. The Contrabass at the Time of Handel
    and Bach. ISB IV #2, 1977-78
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. The Violone and Violoncello in the 17th Century.
    ISB XIII #2, 1987
  • Planyavsky, Alfred. Zur Grundung der Johann-Matthias Sperger Gesellschaft. Sperger Forum #1, 2001
  • Riedel, Friedrich Wilhelm. Streichquartette und -quintette mit Kontrabass. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Roberts, Dane. Rumblings. ISB 1996 XXI 2
  • Rosengard, Duane. Cremonese Double Basses, Editrice Turris, 1992
  • Sas, Stephen. Dissertation Summary: A History of Double Bass Performance Practice: 1500 - 1900.
  • Sawodny, Wolfgang. Das Klavierquintett mit Kontrabass. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Schmid, Manfred Hermann. Instrumentennamen und Stimmlagenbezeichnungen vom 16. bis 18. Jahrhundert. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Schmidt, Harro. Beitrag zur Geschichte der Bassettinstrumente. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Schultz, Michael. The Tuning of the Viennese Double Bass. ISB 1989 XV 3
  • Segerman, E. On the Double Bass and Related Instruments Before 1700. FOMRHI Quarterly #50, 1988
  • Sehnal, Jiri. Streicherstimmen in den Sonaten der Leichtensteinschen Musiksammlung Kremsier. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Seifert, Herbert. Der Violone in Wien im 17. Jahrhundert. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Sinclair, David. Rumblings. ISB 1994 XIX 3
  • Slatford, Rodney. History of the Double Bass. New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1980.
  • Stradner, Gerhard. Streichbassgrossen ausserhalb der Norm. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion, Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Trumpf, Klaus. Virtuositat In der Werken fur Solo-Kontrabass von Johann Matthias Sperger. Michaelstein/Blamkenburg H36, 1988
  • Trumpf, Klaus. Johann Matthias Sperger - bedeutender Kontrabassist und Komponist des 18. Jahrhunderts. Michaelstein/Blankenburg H7, 1978
  • Trumpf, Klaus. In "Lexicon der Deutschen Musikkultur, 2001:" Johannes Matthias Sperger. Sperger Forum #1, 2001
  • Ueltzen, Dieter. Johann Matthias Sperger in der Hofkapelle Ludwgslust.
    Sperger Forum #1, 2001
  • Unverricht, Hubert. Die Beteiligung des Kontrabasses in der Triosonate und Kammermusik von 1720 bis 1770. Kontrabass und Bassfunktion,
    Edition Helbling, 1986
  • Urquart, Margaret. The 17th Century Violone. ISB 1997 XXI 3
  • Watkin, David. Corelli's op. 5 Sonatas: Violino e Violone o cimbalo. EM 1996
  • Webster, James. Violoncello and Double Bass in the Chamber Music of Haydn and His Viennese Contemporaries, 1750-1780. JAMS XXIX #3, 1976
  • Webster, James. The Scoring of Mozart's Chamber Music for Strings. Music in the Classic Period: Essays in Honor of Barry S. Brook. Pendragon Press, 1985
  • Willens, Michael. Rumblings. ISB 1995 XX 2
  • Zusman, Shanon. Review of Alfred Planyavsky's The Baroque Double Bass Violone. JAMIS XXVI, 2000
  • Zusman, Shanon. A Critical Review of Stephen Bonta's Studies in Italian Sacred and Instrumental Music in the 17th Century. OJBR II, 2004
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