“Astounding virtuosity…I had no idea how agile a bass player could be!”
John Bridcut
Driven by his desire to push the limits of his instrument, American double bassist Levi Andreassen is a sought-after soloist and chamber musician.
Recent and upcoming highlights include concerto performances with the London Mozart Players and Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra and recitals at the North Norfolk Music Festival and Kirker Music Festival in Madeira. Chamber music appearances include performances with the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, Sacconi Quartet, Kleio Quartet and The Wood Quartet.
Levi has been featured on Orchid Classics’ album “Around the World in 80 Minutes” in duo with bassist Nathan Perry, as well as an album consisting of Robert Simpson’s chamber music works on Toccata Classics. His artistry has been recognized by His Serene Highness Dr Donatus, Prince of Hohenzollern, who remarked “This old, original idea of the double bass as a large violin - Bassgeige - became truly audible. I had never heard a singing double bass!”.
A laureate of numerous international competitions, Levi was recently awarded 1st Prize at the 2025 Haslemere International String Competition as well as 1st Prize at the 2023 International Society of Bassists Youth Solo Competition, 2023 London Classical Music Competition and the 2022 Caneres International Competition. Additionally, Levi was a winner of the Charles R. Hall Competition in 2018, where he had the opportunity to perform Bottesini’s Concerto No. 2 with the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, an ensemble with whom he now regularly collaborates.
As an orchestral musician, Levi became a member of the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 and now holds the Principal Bass position since 2021. Additionally, Levi has worked closely with conductors such as Vasily Petrenko, the late Sir Andrew Davis, Sakari Oramo, Chloe van Soeterstede, and Jac van Steen in renowned venues such as the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms in 2024, Royal Festival Hall and Cadogan Hall in London, as well as the Stadtpalais Liechtenstein in Vienna.
Levi is currently completing his Bachelor of Music with Caroline Emery at the Royal College of Music in London as a Neville Wathan Full Scholar.
-
Tubin Concerto
Proto 9 Variants; Carmen Fantasy
Martin Concerto
Bottesini Concerto No. 2; Gran Duo Concertante
Vanhal Concerto
Hoffmeister Concerto No. 1
JC Bach/Casadesus Viola Concerto (Adagio)
-
Liebermann Sonata Op. 24
Montag Sonata in E Minor
Franck Violin Sonata in A Major
Brahms Cello Sonata in E Minor Op. 38
Schubert Arpeggione Sonata D. 821
Boccherini Cello Sonata in A Major
Prokofiev Cello Sonata Op. 119
Beethoven Cello Sonata No. 1 in F Major
-
Bottesini Grande Allegro di Concerto Alla Mendelssohn; Capriccio di Bravura; Adagio Melanconico ed Appassionato
Schumann Fünf Stücke im Volkston Op. 102; Kinderszenen Op. 15 - 7. Träumerei; Adagio & Allegro Op. 70; Three Romances Op. 94
C. Schumann 3 Romances Op. 22
L. Boulanger Nocturne
Debussy Beau Soir L. 84
Piazzolla Ave Maria
Glière Scherzo
Fauré Élégie
Beach Romance
-
Tabakov Motivy
Rabbath Iberique Peninsulaire
Teppo Hauta-aho Kadenza
JS Bach Cello Suites I, II, III, IV & V, BWV 1007-1012
Fryba Suite in the Olden Style
Mulsant Op. 64
Maw The Old King's Lament
-
Schubert Piano “Trout” Quintet in A Major, D. 667; Octet in F Major, D. 803
Vaughan Williams Piano Quintet in C Minor
Mendelssohn Octet in Eb Major, Op. 20
Dvořák String Quintet No. 2, Op. 77
Boccherini Quintets I, II, III, G. 337-339
Bottesini Passione Amorosa
Martin Tres Tangos
Meyer Concert Duo
Personal Statement
“I frequently witness the surprise that people have when they first encounter the double bass as a solo instrument. The expressive capabilities and virtuosity of this instrument are often overlooked, and I would attribute this to the stereotypes that tend to be associated with the instrument, particularly from its role in orchestras. My goal is to break down some of these misconceptions and barriers in classical music, as well as to give people a chance to discover the unique qualities of this often underestimated instrument.
“By exploring new repertoire as well as pre existing repertoire for other instruments, I hope to give innovative performances which showcase what the double bass is capable of. I am also passionate about both expanding and sustaining an audience for classical music. As a result, I have been active on social media, reaching millions of people and garnering a following of over twenty-five thousand. I believe that the internet and social media can be a massive tool to draw more eyes to classical music as a genre, as well as to the double bass specifically.”
Levi Andreassen
.
