Music for 9 Basses and 1 Cello

There was an unexpected musical and visual event this evening - nine acoustic bassists and one cellist rehearsing, forming a long line underneath the Washington Square Arch, which forms a natural outdoor acoustic chamber. A crowd had spontaneously gathered. Among audiences, many higher pitched instruments (such as the violin) typically garner the most attention. However, there are musicians who feel that instruments with a lower range, such as the bass, have a greater visceral impact, yet have been largely seen as a supporting instrument. The lack of repertoire for these instruments reinforces this. All this is what makes such an ensemble a pleasant surprise. As it turns out, the group was the NYU Bass ensemble, which suggests that there is a whole world of music being performed that features predominantly very deep notes...