Giovanni Bottesini

Giovanni Bottesini was an Italian Romantic composer, conductor, and a double bass virtuoso. He wrote a number of operas, eleven string quartets, a quintet for string quartet and double bass, and many works for the double bass, including two concertos for solo double bass, the Gran Duo Concertante (originally) for two double basses, Passione Amorosa for two double basses, and numerous pieces for double bass and piano.

Bottesini was widely acclaimed as "the Paganini of the double bass." He was also one of the first performers to adopt the French-style bow grip for the double bass. This style was previously used solely by violinists, violists and cellists.