Soundings (2001)
for double bass quartet
I. Tenuous
II. Diaphanous
III. Nebulous
IV. Luminous
V. Capricious
The title of my double bass quartet, Soundings, is a reference in part to the nautical term for measuring the depth of water. This term has an obvious connection to the double bass as the “deepest” sounding string instrument of the orchestra. “Soundings” can also refer to various types of exploration, and the five movements of the piece are my personal “explorations” of the instrument that is closest to me. Soundings is dedicated to Robert Oppelt, Rick Barber, Jeff Weisner and Ali Yazdanfar of the National Symphony, who commissioned the composition.
—Robert Gibson
duration: ca. 13:00