Album: Lowdown

It used to be easier to be a double bassist. These days, though – particularly in a city as saturated in classical music as Vienna – a double bassist needs to master basically everything that has ever been required of a double bass. Andreas Waelti has succeeded in this endeavor, quietly anchoring the Vienna scene with his expressive, articulate playing for over a decade. Now he has brought forth a rare bird indeed: the solo album Lowdown. The music bypasses the difficulties the instrument poses in lesser hands, delivering an engaging program ranging from musical meditations to varied improvisations and jazz standards; among its highlights are the original compositions “Symmetric” and “Squagganeek”.