Sheffield Philharmonic opens new season with rare double bass concerto
Think you know what a double bass can sound like? Nathan Knight is about to change your mind!
The Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra will be bringing double bass soloist Nathan Knight to Sheffield to perform Bottesini’s Double Bass Concerto No.2 on November 14 at 7.30pm in Victoria Hall. The programme will also feature Louise Farrenc’s Overture No.2 and Mahler’s epic Symphony No.5.
The Second Concerto for Double Bass is a showpiece by the “Paganini of the double bass”, 19th-century virtuoso Giovanni Bottesini. The concerto demands lyrical, vocal phrasing alongside daring technical fireworks, pushing the instrument far beyond its traditional role as the foundation of sound.
Nathan is Associate Principal Double Bass of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He undertook his training at the Royal Academy of Music and then went on to study for a PGDip at Trinity Laban. He performs frequently with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, as well as performing as guest principal with Chineke.
Chair of the Sheffield Philharmonic Sophie Anderson said: “We are thrilled that Nathan will be joining us to kick off our 26/27 concert season. Hearing a double bass concerto live is so rare - I’ve certainly never heard one before! The last time the orchestra played a double bass concerto was almost 20 years ago back in 2007.
“It’s a piece that really showcases the agility of the soloist and highlights just how expressive the double bass can be. It should be a real highlight of the evening.”
Founded in 1945, Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the city's longest-established musical organisations. The orchestra brings together talented amateur musicians from across the region and regularly performs major orchestral works, concertos and contemporary repertoire in venues across Sheffield.
Tickets are priced from £7.50 and can be bought from the Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra’s website.