Leon Bosch describes the circumstances that crystallized in this production:

“My introduction to Negro Spirituals was thanks to Rebeca Omordia. I played a few South African folk songs in her African Concert Series, and based on that she thought that the spirituals would suit me. She gave me a collection of five, arranged for baritone and piano. I transcribed these for double bass, and we first performed them live on Radio 3. That led to the idea of a CD recording and I began to look for more….and there are huge collections available online, in various guises: solo voice, choral arrangements, piano solo, instrumental arrangements etc. Then I had to find ones that resonated with me – and would work on the bass. “

This recording presented by Leon Bosch and I Musicanti features three of Giovanni Bottesini’s String Quintets – two are world premiere recordings: Bottesini, as well as being arguably the most significant figure in the history of the double bass, was also an opera conductor and the composer of over a dozen operas, six string quartets and four string quintets.

This third album, presented by Leon Bosch and Rebeca Omordia, of music for double bass and piano by Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1829), includes his popular Allegro di Concerto ‘alla Mendelssohn’: Bottesini, as well as being arguably the most significant figure in the history of the double bass, was also an opera conductor and the composer of over a dozen operas.

Blend. is a showcase of South African soloists performing an exciting selection of compositions accompanied by the JMI Orchestra.

For his second release of 2020, Leon Bosch is joined by pianist Rebeca Omordia as he turns to the music of his native South Africa. The South African Double Bass features eight brand new pieces and one transcription, written at Bosch’s request by some of the country’s foremost composers and musicians. The pieces reveal a range of inspirations from Zulu roots, South African jazz, the African landscape …and African beer.

The first recording of Bass-ically Brilliant, the duo of Leon Bosch (double bass) and Peter Martens (cello), features an array of 18th and 19th century virtuoso pieces, including Boccherini’s most famous cello concerto in a version made by the composer for the two instruments. To complete the disc, Martens and Bosch play the Sonatina that Allan Stephenson wrote for them in 2004.

Featuring six world premiere recordings.

“An astonishing recording catalogue in its own right.”  – Bass World

“His assured virtuosity makes light of the extreme technical challenges” – The Strad

“Leon Bosch’s accounts abound in personality, imagination, warmth and humanity.” – The Strad

The compositions of the Catalan double bass virtuoso Josep Cervera (1883-1969) lay forgotten in the family property for nearly 50 years after his retirement from performing. This is the first album of his evocative music, selected and performed by the player who uncovered it, Leon Bosch, and pianist Sung-Suk Kang.

A first full album of British originals for double bass and piano and solo double bass performed by Leon Bosch and Sung-Suk Kang, including a piece written for Bosch by the late John McCabe. The album begins with Gordon Jacob’s Little Concerto in which Bosch is joined by string players from his ensemble I Musicanti.

Former principal double bass with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Leon Bosch reunites with the orchestra to play the two surviving concertos by one of Mozart’s own esteemed colleagues. He also joins the Academy’s principal viola in two rare showpieces for viola and double bass.

Leon Bosch and regular recital partner Sung-Suk Kang present a selection of virtuoso works by the Catalan composer and double bass virtuoso Pedro Valls (1869-1935) in which Valls pays homage both to his predecessor, the great Giovanni Bottesini, and his own Spanish heritage.

South Africa-born virtuoso, Leon Bosch, performs works for double bass and orchestra by British-born South African composer Allan Stephenson. The world premiere recording, with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, of his concerto for double bass and string orchestra and a short burlesque also features Peter Martens in Stephenson’s cello concerto.

Leon Bosch pays tribute to Zoltan Kovats, the double bass teacher who made such an impression on him as a student in Cape Town, in this album of Hungarian music for double bass and piano. Among the transcriptions are works by Liszt, Bartok and Kodaly, as well as original pieces by Elisabeth Eszlary and Lajos Montag.

This second album, presented by Leon Bosch and Sung-Suk Kang, of music for double bass and piano by Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1829), focuses on music with an operatic theme: Bottesini, as well as being arguably the most significant figure in the history of the double bass, was also an opera conductor and the composer of over a dozen operas.

Leon Bosch and regular recital partner Sung-Suk Kang visit Russia for this album of Romantic music for double bass and piano. Alongside transcriptions of popular short pieces by Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich and Rubinstein are originals by Reinhold Gliére celebrated conductor and double bassist Serge Koussevitzky.

Leon Bosch and regular recital partner Sung-Suk Kang present their first album, including rarely recorded works, dedicated to the music by arguably the most significant figure in the history of the double bass, Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1829).

Leon Bosch and Sung-Suk Kang present world premiere recordings of sonatas by two striking mid-20^thcentury composers:  Karl Rankl, first conductor of the Covent Garden Opera, and Norbert Sprongl. Included is one of the major works of the double bass repertoire, the sonata by their contemporary, Paul Hindemith.

Blend. is a showcase of South African soloists performing an exciting selection of compositions accompanied by the JMI Orchestra.