Mozart’s Adagio K.411 is originally for 2 clarinets and 3 basset horns and transcribes beautifully for the advanced double bass quintet. Composed in 1785 and believed to have been written for a Masonic event that year, it has been arranged for many instrumental combinations, offering musical and technical challenges in equal measure. The beautiful and evocative melodies, alongside intricate counterpoint, flows from player to player, with an independent and supportive bass line provided by bass 5. There are opportunities to demonstrate the versatility and great potential of the double bass quintet in music which is both player and audience friendly. Lasting around six minutes, the Adagio would be easy to programme and ideal for any audience or occasion.
