Spanish Christmas Carol Arr: Simon Garcia

Campana sobre campana translate literally as 'bells upon bells' and is a traditional Spanish Christmas Carol and was arranged for double bass quartet by Simon Garcia in the style of a Christmas fox-trot. The music is lively and jolly and, although is meant to be played at Christmas-time, could easily be added to any concert as a fun encore. Simon Garcia transcribed the work for double bass quartet, which is now published by Recital Music. and has also created a version for double bass and piano which was premiered in Weymouth (Dorset, UK) on 18 December 2013 by David Heyes (double bass) and Duncan Honeybourne (piano). Bassist and composer Simon Garcia was born in Mugardos (Spain) in 1977 and graduated in double bass from the Conservatorio Superior of Salamanca. He has worked as a double bassist in the Royal Orchestra of Galicia, having also performed in many orchestras throughout Spain, and is the bassist in the Symphony Wind Orchestra of A. Coruna. He has collaborated with many musicians and ensembles, particularly in the field of contemporary music, and has recorded and performed on many commercial recordings and for television and radio broadcasts. Simon Garcia has composed more than twenty works for double bass, ranging from two to six players, alongside transcriptions of these pieces for various chamber ensembles. His music has been performed in Mexico, Venezuela, Uruguay, Denmark, Spain, Japan, Italy, Austria, Germany, Canada, USA and UK by The Bass Gang, Bass Instinct and Il Quint-etto amongst others, and some of his music was used as teaching material in the 2011 ISB Year of Collaborative Music. Simon Garcia's music is lively, jazzy and rhythmic with great forward momentum and drive. Accessible for players and audiences alike, he writes colourful music of distinction and energy, employing the entire range of the double bass. Simon Garcia was a Featured Composer and guest soloist at Bass-Fest 2013 (3-7 August, The Silk Mill, Frome, UK), when 10 of his works were performed, including the premiere of Time Capsule for double bass octet. He returns to Bass-Fest 2014 (15-17 August) again as a Featured Composer and soloist.