The Montreal Symphony has announced they are set to add a new instrument to their ensemble - a 3.6 meter tall, 131kg octobass

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has today announced they are set to add a new instrument to their ensemble – a 3.6 meter tall, 131kg octobass.

The acquisition will make the Canadian orchestra the world’s first to own one of the mammoth instruments.

OCTOBASS | MONTREAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MOZART | AVE VERUM CORPUS

Invented in 1849 by luthier Jean-Baptiste Viullaume, the octobass plays four octaves lower than a standard double bass – reaching down to the lowest note on a piano.

“It’s essentially a double bass but on steroids …” bassist Eric Chapelle has said.

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