Description
Here in the second movement the Bass part is given a melodic line that is based more on intervals than scale patterns. The second theme, however, is slightly more lyrical and uses open strings as pedal tones in a guitar-like texture. The piano remains in an accompaniment mode, punctuated by a repeated descending phrase in Hindemith-style tonality. Both natural and (if desired) artificial harmonics are featured by the Bass. If performed separately, this piece really gives the Bass soloist an opportunity to demonstrate the quieter and lyrical qualities of the instrument, rather than the rowdy slap/pop qualities that we already know it can produce quite well (if such a thing is desired...)