David Popper, the great composer whose music for the cello challenges every part of this instrument's technical resources, has been someone many of us double bassists (professional and enthusiasts alike) could directly compare to Bottesini and his work. However, so far I‘ve found Popper's pieces to be unplayable on the double bass. That is, until I discovered his Polonaise de Concert and took a shot at ˋˋtranslating´´ it into bass language. The result was a challenging yet playable arrangement that did not lose any of the temperament and virtuosity of its original cello version. I’ve played it countless times since finishing it in 2014 and I can safely say that it enriches the double bass repertoire immensely. I can also warmly recommend this piece to anybody who would like to take a swing at something that really challenges their technique, and yet allows for expression and exploration of colors, temperament and overall beauty that’s deeply interwoven into the core of this masterpiece.

-Dominik Wagner

Check out the video below to watch Dominik Wagner perform his arrangement of Popper's Polonaise de Concert: