Composed in 2014 to commemorate the 95th anniversary of Frantisek Posta's birth, this evocative and atmospheric one-movement work reflects the composers worries and concerns during the summer of 1991 and is based on material from Hommage a Frantisek Posta (RM719).

Teppo Hauta-aho had studied with Frantisek Posta (1919-1991) in Prague in the 1960s, when Posta was the revered and much respected Principal Bass of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and had maintained a strong friendship and bond for the next 25 years. In 1991 Prof. Posta's health was beginning to decline and the piece reflects his plans to visit Finland again, having performed and taught there for many years. Would he be well enough? At one point the answer was yes, then no, then yes... Unfortunately Frantisek Posta was never to visit Finland again and died in Prague in August 1991.

Hommage a Frantisek Posta captures the unsettled nature of that last summer, the hopes and concerns for a much loved bassist and friend. The music is typical of Teppo Hauta-aho's work and employs a wealth of textures, timbres and techniques to create a unique work of beauty and style. The music explores a range of colours and there is scope to create huge sweeping panoramas of sound and vision within a short space of time.

The Last Summer was written for David Heyes, who studied with Frantisek Posta in the late 1980s, and was premiered by David at Templecombe Hall (Somerset, UK) on 16 August 2014.

The Last Summer was recorded by David Heyes on the CD 'Postcards from Prague' for PrimaFACIE records (PFCD040), released on 2 March 2016 and available on Amazon, itunes and spotify on 10 May 2016. Copies of the CD are available from doublebass@tiscali.co.uk