Well, I've decided to now audition for the MYO (Merseyside Youth Orchestra) on bassoon. Going to do the 2nd movement of the Mozart Bassoon Concerto, but need a second contrasting piece. Anyone got any ideas?! (preferably not about a top A please! I'm not aiming for principal bassoon just yet )

There are only 2 bassoons, and I am sure both parts would be pretty similar so you might have to go up to a top A!

If I recall though Nicki (correct me if I'm wrong Nick!) but there's about 3/4 spaces for bassoonists in the MYO, same for other woodwinds!

I can cope with top A, anything above it is pushing it on the bassoon I use

Ooh, good luck! I love the bassoon! *suppresses thoughts of learning this one next*

I think there is a Romance by Elgar for bassoon and orchestra. I have heard the cello and piano version, though I bet it would work better on bassoon - do you know it? Lovely and very Elgarian!

There's also a famous basson tarantella that I can hear in my mind but the composer's name escapes me. Will post it if I remember. That's a good piece too... (sorry, that wasn't much help, was it?! )

A Grade 5 study out of Weissenborn? (but they are evil)... erm... I have a few pieces in my bassoon case which my bassoon teacher has giiven me to look at-I'll have a quick look in a minute.

Good Luck for the audition for when it is!

I considered his studies!! How evil are we talking? Fast demisemi runs in B flat minor written in tenor clef?! Oh god that'd be a nightmare

Depends whether you like scales. A few of the studies are nice in the first book. The Tenor clef studies are evil...

Maybe the acciaccatura (sp?) study from weiss 1 or no 3 or 5 from weiss 2 might be nice? certainly both are very playable and the range isn't above top G i believe.