37: Brad Opland Interview

This week's Contrabass Conversations episode features an interview with Chicago Symphony bassist Brad Opland. In addition to the interview, you'll get a chance to hear Brad perform on the double bass in his own arrangement of Ibert's Quatre Causons (four songs) de Don Quichotte for bassoon and bass and hear Brad perform on the electric bass in his south side Chicago church. Enjoy!

About Brad

Born in Minot, North Dakota, Bradley Opland began his musical studies at an early age and, by the time he was 10, knew that he wanted a career in a symphony orchestra. After graduating from high school a year early, he moved to Philadelphia to continue his music studies at the Curtis Institute of Music.

One year later, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski appointed Brad to the bass section of the Minnesota Orchestra at the age of 18, one of the youngest musicians ever hired. He remained in Minnesota through Sir Neville Marriner's tenure, coming to Chicago in 1984 after Sir Georg Solti offered him a position in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

- See more at: http://cso.org/about/performers/chicago-symphony-orchestra/bass/bradley-opland/#sthash.c5IOnq3y.dpuf