Themes and Variations on Après un rêve

This piece means alot to me. I first listened to a recording of this piece in middle school. I listened to it played by Yo-Yo Ma and as his beautiful cello sang the notes of this piece I felt and heard what a String Instrument played right was. As a double bass player it inspired me to take this instrument that wasn't meant to be heard, that was meant to be hidden underneath a pile of other beautiful instruments, and make it sound as beautiful as Yo-Yo Ma. When an audition loomed ahead and my Bass Teacher asked if I had any specific piece I would like to play I knew just the piece. Apres un reve is a piece that for me transcends music. A piece that exudes emotion in whatever means of performance is chosen for it. I chose to do a variation on this piece because I believe that this piece can be used to create so many different emotions.