Ludus Gravis

»Bass, Bass, wir brauchen Bass« (Bass, bass, we need bass) – this line by a Hamburg rap artist appears to have been adopted as a motto by the Italian octet Ludus Gravis. Made up entirely of double bassists, it is quite possibly the world’s lowest-pitched ensemble! Ludus Gravis is not just visually impressive, however; in musical terms, too, this ambitious ensemble proves that the double bass can do much more than provide the rhythmic foundation of an orchestra. Established in 2010, Ludus Gravis’ varied repertoire includes arrangements of works from all periods of music history, as well as new compositions written especially for the ensemble. »Heavy playing« – the literal translation of their name – applies at the very most to the physical handling of their instruments. Ranging from deep growls to almost weightless sounds, they perform music covering a spectrum rarely experienced with the double bass.