“…
he plays with real musicianship of the sort that made the familiar
Rachmaninoff Vocalise sound more seductive than most singers can”
-The Irish Times
David
Daly joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as Principal Double Bass
in 1985. Since then has toured nationally and internationally with the
orchestra, performing in the world's finest concert halls in Europe and
the USA. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the orchestra on a
number of occasions to high acclaim and participated in the orchestra's
‘Grammy’ award winning recording programme which, during this time, has
run to more than 100 CDs, including award-winning cycles of William
Walton's orchestral works and Tchaikovsky's symphonies.
"brilliantly fresh and alive playing from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's strings"
Bernstein CD Review - The Strad Jan 06
David Daly was born in Dublin
in 1961 and began learning the double bass with Helmut Engemann at the
Royal Irish Academy of Music. He was principal Double Bass with the
Irish Youth Orchestra for many 
years
and in 1979 won a place with the European Union Youth Orchestra,
playing for two seasons with that orchestra under the baton of Claudio
Abbado. At the age of seventeen he was appointed to the National
Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, taking part in the opening concert of
the National Concert Hall, Dublin. Much in demand as a freelance
player, David played various recitals and recorded the Dittersdorf
‘Sinfonia Concertante’ for solo Double Bass and Viola for Irish radio.
David was instrumental in setting up the ‘Dublin Philharmonic Society’
series of Double Bass masterclasses, which saw Prof. Thomas Martin
(Guildhall School of Music) -the UK’s foremost exponent and teacher of
Double Bass - visit Dublin on a regular basis encouraging a new
interest and new generation of Bass players.
In 1982 David moved to London
where he joined the BBC Concert Orchestra and undertook further study
with Professor Thomas Martin. While in London he freelanced with
various ensembles including the BBC symphony and the English Chamber
Orchestra.
In 1985 he was appointed Principal Double Bass with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
He
was the youngest member of the orchestra to hold a principal position
at that time. Since then he has played the length and breath of the UK
and toured internationally with the orchestra, performing in the
world's finest concert halls such as Carnegie Hall - New York, and
Symphony Hall – Boston in the USA, and in Europe, the Musikverein -
Vienna and the Berlin Philharmoniker among others. He has appeared as
concerto soloist with the BSO on a number of occasions to high acclaim.
After his performance with the BSO of the Bottesini ‘Grand Duo
Concertant for Violin and Double Bass (with Jonathan Carney, Violin)
the Bournemouth Evening Echo said:
“proved beyond doubt that the stringed giant of the orchestra is a very agile instrument in the hands of a star performer”
David also performed the Bottesini concerto for solo Double Bass as
part of the BSO’s main season in 2000 in Poole and Exeter conducted by
Andrew Litton.
David has participated in the making of more than 100 cds as part of the the BSO's celebrated cd recording programme including;
Belshazzar’s Feast’ - awarded a GRAMMY at the New York ceremony in February 1997
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.2 with Peter Donohoe - winning a GRAMOPHONE award
Elgar’s Symphony No.3 - nominated for a GRAMOPHONE award in 2000 and remained in the UK Classical Chart Top Ten for the entire year!
In 1988, David took a year's leave from the orchestra to study at Indiana University
School of Music with Professor Bruce Bransby (ex Principal Bass with
the Los Angeles Philharmonic). He also played in masterclass to Prof.
Janos Starker, and took lessons with Prof. Edwin Barker (Principal Bass
with the Boston Symphony Orchestra).
David
has also played as guest Principal Double Bass with the BBC symphony,
London Philharmonic, and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras
As a soloist David gave his debut recital at the John Field Room, Dublin, in 1984, after which the review said;
“can
make his improbable instrument sing like a cello and he plays with real
musicianship of the sort that made the familiar Rachmaninoff Vocalise
sound more seductive than most singers can”
-The Irish Times 1/2/84
In 1988 David performed Bottessini’s Grand Duo Concertant with the
R.T.E. concert orchestra, in the National Concert Hall - Dublin, which
was also broadcast live on national radio. Of that the Irish Times said;
“What an exhibition of virtuosity! Phrasing was beautifully turned...”
-The Irish Times
Whilst
continuing to lead the BSO's bass section, David gives many lecture
recitals and directs acclaimed educational projects. He is also
undertaking an increasing amount of recital work with the pianist
Duncan Honeybourne. In June 2007 they will premiere a sonata
commissioned by them for Double Bass and Piano in Christchurch Priory,
Dorset.
“it was striking how warm the instrument sounded even in the upper reaches of it’s range.”
-Newbury News 12/6/2001
St Cecilia with an Angel Holding Music
Domenico Zampieri, called Domenichino c.1620 The Louvre, Paris
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