75 Years on 4 Strings: The Life and Music of François Rabbath

by Hans Sturm

75 Years on 4 Strings is the authoritative biography of the legendary self-taught double bassist François Rabbath. The much-beloved artist-teacher sat for countless hours of interviews and shared candid stories from throughout his illustrious career, from his earliest memories of his childhood in 1930s Syria to his ninetieth-birthday virtual recital in Paris in 2021. Highlights, such as accompanying twentieth-century French chanson stars Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf, performing for Pablo Picasso's ninetieth birthday, and premiering his own virtuosic compositions influenced by jazz, Middle Eastern, and classical music in front of crowds of thousands in South America, contrast with the painful consequences of trying to balance a life on the road with a young family, as well as the struggles he faced as a Middle Eastern immigrant in France. Artists and musicians from around the world spoke of their encounters and collaborations with Rabbath. Many shared their astonishment at hearing him for the first time-describing their reactions to witnessing performances of Bach at the same pitch as the cello, improvisations on major movie soundtracks, or interpretations of adventurous new works composed for him. While he has been called a sorcerer and the Paganini of the double bass, he is also remembered as unstintingly generous and childlike. Rabbath revolutionized the way the double bass is played through his innovative pivot and crab techniques-discoveries that allow the double bass to be played with ease. His multivolume Nouvelle technique method, DVDs, and masterclasses on five continents have influenced a generation of bassists. Includes photographs.

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2022

Reviews

[Mariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because i’m writing my graduation thesis about Rabbath as on my graduation i’ll be playing one of his pieces, “Maman Bahija”, a piece that resonates a lot with me, especially that I’m Palestinian. Honestly I enjoyed reading it a lot, as well as I learnt a lot and expanded my knowledge on contrabass music, as now I have lots of Rabbath music on my bucket list to play.
Learning and writing about Rabbath was definitely an eye opening, especially that I’m studying in Italy where they still follow a very classical and traditional approach in teaching the Contrabass, and throughout my read I felt so much resemblance with him especially that we come from the same culture and background.

I wish one day I’d be able to meet this great guy.
Thank you Rabbath! 💙

[Courtney Boutwell]

This book I believe is a great inspiration to musicians as Rabbath came from a background that is so different to others and the way he rose through the challenges and became an amazing musician. However, I'm not a big fan of Biographies so this is a book for musicians or people interested in a famous bass player and those who like to read Biographies. I found value in this book and will try to even apply some of what Rabbath did in my own playing.

[Lindsay Donat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read about this legend and hear more stories! What a life...