Tony Osborne

ORCHESTRAL TUNING EDITION. Fiesta! Fiesta! was commissioned by the American double bassist, teacher and author, Barry Green, for whom Tony Osborne has composed a number of widely performed works. Tony Osborne writes: 'This is a colourful piece, drawing on favourite Latin American and jazz rhythms, to provide an exciting and memorable finale to a concert. It gives bassists an opportunity to demonstrate their versatility both as a soloist and accompanist. It opens with a bold and strident staement, leading to a gritty Mambo-like rhythm - simply called 'Latin Lick', that mixes a cool melodic line with a 'chunky' bass groove. Next comes a typically lively 'Mucho Mexicano' tarantella, with catchy cross-rhythms and trumpet-like fanfares! Time for romance and passion with a 'Tangy Tango', based on a hint of the traditional Tango rhythm, found in popular pieces like the Uraguayian 'Cumparsita', but perhaps leaning more strongly on the Habanera, as in 'Jealousy' by Gade - these rhythms are more implied than written and can leave the performers free to express their individual interpretation. It's soon party time again with a 'Sunny Samba' that bounces along relentlessly with its own special energy, and both busy melodies and solid bass line. This leads into a restatement of the opening motifs that build up to bring our Fiesta to a powerful and rousing conclusion. Tony Osborne is an important educationalist and prolific composer who has made a significant and unique contribution to the double bass repertoire over the past 35 years. His solo music for young bassists is included by many international examination boards, and his many ensembles pieces are performed at workshops and concerts throughout the world. Tony Osborne notes the influences of Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein, alongside some of the Russian masters, on his music, which he combines with a jazzy, rhythmic and energetic style that has been popular with players and audiences worldwide. Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divides a busy career between composing, teaching and performing. A very prolific composer and arranger, Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem and many works for string orchestra. In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass, and has been a featured composer at Bass-Fest for the past decade. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3 and wrote a number of impressive and innovative works for the project. He has been a judge for the British Composer Awards over the past few years and has been a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition since 1999. Recital Music held a concert of Tony Osborne's music in 2012, to celebrate the composer's 65th birthday, and has formulated a 10-year project to publish all his works for double bass. www.tony-osborne.com