Here is a full-length recital showcase featuring a performance from double bassist Phillip Serna.  Visit Phillip online at www.phillipwserna.com Northwestern University School of Music Presents a Doctoral Recital Phillip Woodrow Serna, double bass In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Music in Double Bass Performance Double Bass Student of Michael Hovnanian Viola da Gamba Student of Mary Springfels assisted by: Shirley Trissell, piano Sunday, April 27, 2003, 8:30 p.m. Regenstein Recital Hall 60 Arts Circle Drive Evanston, Illinois Sonata in E-Minor, Op.38 (1862-1865)           Johannes Brahms For Violoncello and Piano                                     (1833-1897)     Allegro non troppo     Allegretto quasi Menuetto             Allegro       SHORT INTERMISSION Sonata No.2 in E-Minor, Op.6                               Adolf Mišek For String Bass and Piano                                     (1875-1955)     I. Con fuoco     II. Andante cantabile     III. Furiant: Allegro energico             IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato       SHORT INTERMISSION Sonata (1956)                                                    František Hertl For String Bass and Piano                                           (b. 1906)     I. Allegro moderato     II. Andantino     III. Rondo: Alla polka, moderato         [ENCORE] Vocalise, Op.34, No.14              Serge Rachmaninoff                                                                               (1873-1943) Program Notes Johannes Brahms' Sonata in E-Minor, Op.38 (1862-1865)     In the summer of 1862, Johannes Brahms composed the first two movements of the Sonata for Piano and Violoncello, Op. 38. He later added the final Allegro in June of 1865. Intended as an "homage to J.S. Bach," Brahms based the principal themes of the outer movements on Contrapuntctus 4 and Contrapunctus 13 from "The Art of Fugue." Indeed, beyond these thematic references, fugal interplay is the prevailing device employed throughout the work. The sonata was first performed in July of 1865, and submitted for publication to both Breitkopf & Härtel and Simrock in September of the same year. Breitkopf & Härtel refused to publish the work. Simrock soon accepted it, however, and it was probably published in early 1866. Brahms' famous description of the work, which accompanied his submission to Simrock, remarks that it is "a violoncello sonata which, as regards both instruments, is certainly not difficult to play.     David Cardon, Discordia Music     Discordia Music, a publishing company run by Professor Michael Hovnanian, publishes the edition used for this performance. Discordia specializes in publishing new works and transcriptions for the double bass, as well as to publish premium quality, well-researched, scholarly editions of music part of the standard double bass solo literature. Adolf Mišek's Sonata No.2 in E-Minor, Op.6     The typesetter, composer, conductor, and double bass player Adolf Mišek was born in Modletin, Czechoslovakia in 1875. At age 15, Mišek attended the Academy of Vienna, later conducting as choirmaster of The Czech Choir ,,Tovaovský" and Slavonic Chorus. Additionally, he conducted The Czech Academic Orchestra in Vienna. From 1890 to1894 Mišek was a student of the famous lecturer, Franz Simandl (1840-1912), who in Mišek's time was associated with the Vienna Conservatory, an institution that Mišek would later be engaged as bass professor. From 1920 to 1934 Mišek returned to his place of birth in Bohemia. He returned to Prague where he built a career as a soloist with the National Theatre. He died in Prague in 1955.     Mišek composed various works in different genres for voice, violin, chamber ensembles, and lastly for the double bass. His works for bass include a Scales Study, Legend op. 3 for Double Bass and Piano, a Capriccio (1899), Concert Polonaise, Sonata No.1 in A Major, Op. 5, Sonata No.2 in e minor, Op. 6, Sonata No.3 in F Major, and a