Gran Duo Concertante

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The Gran Duo Concertante was composed by the Italian virtuoso Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889) by 1880. Originally written for two double basses and orchestra, the piece was edited soon after by Camillo Sivori to be performed by a double bass and violin.

The piece is a single, sprawling movement and usually lasts around 15 minutes if played up to tempo, but this estimate can vary greatly due to the artists' interpretation of the music. While double concertos were generally composed for different instruments, Bottesini did not seem to consider the questionable practicality of a piece that requires two very talented double bassists. Sivori (Savari), a disciple of Paganini, rewrote one of the bass parts for violin, creating a version in which it was easier to identify the parts, and which is more practical to play.