# Late-Romantic bass excerpts

c. 1880–1910

This late-romantic bass selection contains 5 excerpts. Begin with Verdi: Otello, Act IV double bass passage: The unaccompanied low string writing before Otello’s entrance in the final act. A standard opera-audition excerpt and completely exposed. The period label groups these works for discovery; it does not prescribe one tempo, articulation or sound for every composer.

For double bass, distinguish the written part from its sounding register, normally an octave lower. Isolate a string crossing or position change without dropping the underlying pulse, then check the length and release of notes against the ensemble role.

The recorded technique tags in this selection include opera, audition, exposed, soft, symphony. Choose one relevant passage, read its specific practice notes below, and set one listening target before a complete run. Tags describe the library entries, not a required exam syllabus.

Late-romantic scores push the section higher, louder, and further into divisi. Excerpts from this period are the backbone of professional audition lists precisely because they test range, sustained intensity, and tenor and treble clef reading all at once.

- [Verdi: Otello, Act IV double bass passage](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/verdi-otello-bass), The unaccompanied low string writing before Otello’s entrance in the final act. A standard opera-audition excerpt and completely exposed. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, III, bass solo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mahler-1-iii-bass-solo), The unaccompanied solo bass statement of Frère Jacques in the minor. The most famous solo in the orchestral bass repertoire, and completely exposed. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Strauss: Don Juan, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/strauss-don-juan-bass), The low string part of the opening gesture, fast, wide, and requiring the section to match the upper strings exactly. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 2, I, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/mahler-2-i-bass), The tremolo-driven low string opening. Aggressive, rhythmically exact, and demanding a large sound without loss of definition. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, bass passages](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/strauss-heldenleben-bass), Fast, wide-ranging low string writing that crosses the whole instrument. One of the hardest excerpts on the standard list. Audition; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/bass/era/late-romantic