Concerto for Double Bass, 1st Movement

by Serge Koussevitzky

Joel Stamoolis, double bass Grace Page, piano

Psalm 33:2, “Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!” One of the ways that we can express our gratitude to God is through playing instruments. As one translation puts it, “Give thanks to the LORD with the double bass; make melody to him with the piano of eighty-eight keys!” (JSV). As I’ve worked on this piece, I have been grateful to God for my parents, who have been a tremendous encouragement and support to me in my bass playing. —Joel