In addition to the premiere of Gregory Prechel's "Exposition on the Anchorage Museum, the Anchorage Symphony concert on Jan. 16 will feature a second piece calculated to rouse some extra-musical curiosity -- a concerto for double bass.
Actually, "A Carmen Fantasy for Double Bass and Orchestra" by contemporary composer Frank Proto fits the definition of concertos only in the broader sense of the word, "works in which solo instruments contrast with an ensemble." But in this case the solo instrument in question is a bass violin.
A second point of interest is that the bass player is former Anchorage Youth Symphony member Paul Sharpe, now teaching the instrument at the North Carolina School of the Arts and leading the bass section of the Winston-Salem Symphony.
Sharpe, who graduated from Bartlett High School in 1987, is returning to his hometown to perform the Fantasy with orchestra for the first time. He's previously performed the piece with piano accompaniment, including a 1996 recital at UAA with Timothy Heavner at the piano.
Since leaving Alaska, he's won top prize at several double bass competitions (yes, there are such things). He's also taught and performed widely in America and abroad. He's a frequent guest artist at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival.
In a press release, Sharpe described the piece as modern in its sound, but with the attractive hook of well-loved melodies from the opera, "Carmen." He also expressed glee at the inclusion of a cadenza, where the soloist is invited to improvise on the thematic ideas and show off his snazziest moves.
"It's a good tradition to revive," he said.
The program will also include Bach's Second Brandenburg Concerto, which features several solo performers drawn from the symphony's ranks.
By MIKE DUNHAM
mdunham@adn.com