Music for Six Double Bassists highlights multiple aspects of the double bass: the beauty of playing unison phrases, division of the melody and bassline within the bassists, the co-existence of warmth and sharpness of the instrument, and the low and high sounds (harmonics) each players generate, interactions between arco and pizzicato, moments of clarity and mudiness.

The music was premiered on the 29th of April, 2023, by four Melbourne-based bassists: Helen Svoboda, Harry Birch, Oscar Neyland, and Paddy Fitzgerald, all of whom Chloe has long running friendships and shares performance histories with. As soon as the performance ended, Chloe approached the bassists and said “how can this not be recorded?”.

So they booked the recording date right away, and even expanded the ensemble by inviting Chloe’s bassist friends from Sydney: Jonathan Zwartz and Jacques Emery.

The music was fermented further and deeper, thanks to every one of the absolute legendary bassists. Without even one of them, the music would have not had its’ life it has now, so I deeply thank Harry, Helen, Jonathan, Jacques, Oscar, and Paddy for their generosity in sharing time, hearts, skills and ideas.

The project would also have not been feasible without the magnificent Pat Telfer. A recent friend of Chloe’s, yet their love for music and people lines up flawlessly, as if they have been friends and shared alike-thoughts forever. With the biggest smile and the tallest height, Pat tirelessly jumped around the double basses to capture the sound of music at its finest qualities.

So, with gratitude and joy, Chloe presents Music For Six Double Bassists.