About the album

Double bassist Luis Cabrera (Spain, 1985) plays with many well-known European orchestras and has been with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra since 2006. He studied in Madrid and in London at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with Rinat Ibragimov (1960-2020), a teacher who has had a great influence on him. To him Cabrera dedicates his debut Canto Interno (’The Inner Voice’), another special release from the adventurous Dutch TRPTK label.

In putting together his album, Cabrera has been guided by the music he has admired since childhood, whether or not it was originally written for double bass. He is accompanied by pianist Justyna Maj and violinist Sylvia Huang. Almost naturally, his production starts with two pieces by virtuoso Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889). Romantic music that seems made for the caressing, almost creamy, sound that Cabrera manages to elicit from his instrument.

The legendary Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951), who enjoyed a dual career as a conductor and double bassist, is represented with an elegant four-piece composition. Playful pieces in which Cabrera can let his double bass sing full-bloodedly. Never does his playing become too heavy and even in the most complex passages he manages to generate a beautiful open sound. The flexibility of the imposing instrument seems boundless in his hands.

Of particular note is the choice of the Fantasiestücke, Op. 73 by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), originally written for clarinet and violin. The composer once indicated that the works could also be performed on viola and cello, but Cabrera succeeds in convincingly translating the music to the double bass. A feat that commands admiration.

A highlight is the arrangement of the famous Sonata for piano and violin by César Franck (1822-1890), a real tour de force. In it, Cabrera goes to the extreme of his ability, with a flexibility unprecedented for his instrument. What is special is that the double bass player manages to combine charm and depth. Canto Interno’ is for him not only a debut, but also “an incredibly beautiful journey with a wealth of experiences, ultimately the album is a portrait of myself”.