Good Musical Ideas Not For ContraBass

When I read this I laughed my ass off. This is from an interview the composer, Bear McCreary, held with the one and only Stu Phillips (Battlestar Galactica, Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls, Knight Rider). It was a week before the Golden State Pops Orchestra Halloween Concert of 2009.

Stu Phillips

Bear McCreary: Tell us about about the piano concert we’re going to hear and what inspired you to write it.

Stu Phillips: It’s a very long story. It was originally conceived as a concerto for four basses. Dennis Trembly of the LA Phil had asked if I might take a shot at writing something for the contra bass. When it became obvious that trying to get four competent bass players together for rehearsals was going to be a problem, I gave up on the project. The music laid around in a carton for several years, until one day, when I was reorganizing things, I came across the music. When I revisited the score I thought, “what a waste of ideas.” so I began rewriting the music as a set of variations for piano. In 1998 I recorded it at the Skywalker ranch with a symphony orchestra and a 16 year old pianist. 

Personally, I would have loved to hear a quartet-bass concerto written by Stu, but through experience I feel most composers assume us bassists just dwell in the low end and can't hold up when it comes to execution. Especially, when we are compared to piano. Well, just what we need MORE PIANO MUSIC! I'm jokin'. It's probably a great piece, but still great to get some insight about my beloved instrument from the man himself. 
Full interview:
http://www.galacticabbs.com/index.php?showtopic=3994