Hello there!
I think it's about time there was a bassoon thread going. I am a bassoon player from Cheltenham who is currently taking the 2006/07 Grade 8 syllabus. I have to say that the pieces are demanding and are definately in the higher reaches of the advanced music that there is for bassoon.
In my opinion the composer who is a bassoon GOD has GOT to be Carl Maria on Weber. I am currently learning his concerto in F in its entirety (3rd movement is Grade 8) and would LOVE to play his 'Rondo et Ungarese' which is the most beautiful 2 movement work for bassoon and piano; it is definately my favourite bassoon piece of all time!!
So...any more bassoonists out there in existence?!?!? What pieces are your favourite/like to play??!!!!

Guinnessdan

I'm not a bassoon player yet but will be starting in January all being well - I can't wait, I think it's a brilliant instrument, with a fabulous sound, and an excellent role within the ensembles it plays in

i'm a bassoonist, taking grade 7 in the summer! working on the hurlstone sonata and a vivaldi allegro, with limited success!

the weber rondo is a nightmare - i can't play the last page at half speed, let alone all tounged at a million miles an hour... the andante's nice, but demisemiquaver staccato runs... whoa. out of my league for the moment at least!

I guess I'm a bassoonist currently working on the Mozart Concerto and a Telemann Sonata at the moment. Totally adore the Saint Saens Sonata, Jolivet Concerto and the Berio Sequenza XII

Wow! Great to hear that there are some budding bassoonists out there! Yea I also love the Saint-Saens sonata. I am currently learning the 3rd movement for Grade 8, its great fun! The Weber concerto is, at points, devishely difficult at times though!!
I agree with the comment about the Rondo from Weber's Rondo e Ungarese - it is damn fast. I haven't actually got a hold of the sheet music yet but will probably do so once I've done my Grade 8 for piano and bassoon!
Does anyone like any of the Vivaldi concertos? I've never actually played one before (I know!), are there any particular ones that anyone would recommend to play?!?!

Oh and also, does anyone here play the contra?! I've been lucky enough to get to play one for a performance of Holst's 'Mars' from the Planets, which was fantastic fun! But that's all....I really really really REALLY want to play Dukas' 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' because the bassoon solo here was what originally attracted me to the instrument PLUS it has a contrabassoon solo in it! (Ravel's 'Mother' Goose Suite' also has a solo contra part, but I haven't had the opportunity to play that yet!) Anyone recommend any contra music??!

I don't play bassoon but I suggest that you start your bassoon thread in the Viva Brass part.
It's easier and more convenient for yourself and other forum musicians. ;-}

Sounds like fun

By the way - nice to see another person from Gloucestershire on the board


I think you mean Viva Woodwind...?

I'm glad to see that there is so much new repertoire ahead of me. I'm just restarting my bassoon studies. My immediate preoccupation right now is building up embouchure strength. My poor lip is quivering at the end of every practice but I seem to remember that stage goes. My teacher thinks I ought to be working for my grade 5. I haven't had a look at the pieces yet but I have tried the scales and they are going to need a lot of practice but it is great to be playing again.

evening everyone...

Favourite piece is hard - depends on what mood you are in - John Williams Five Sacred Trees is good, malcolm arnold fantasy is just plain hard!!

the Hungarian Rondo has to be my favourite of the main "concerti" - although they are all fantastic pieces - the last page i think hinges on a responsive reeds - if you have a good free blowing and responisve reed, then it isnt that hard to play....although still is @?!)$% hard

of the sonata and others....Tansman sonatine - just an amazing piece, with such a sexy second movement - piano chords to make love to???

the bassoon is a fantastic instrument to play, as is the contrabassoon. Some of my most pleasurable contrabassoon playing has been playing not big works you would think of as heavy on contrabassoon. Particular favourites include the prokofiev Cinderella suite....some fat contrabassoon parts in that, and the question "can you be louder than the tubas" Ravel Piano Concerto for the left hand has the best contrabassoon solo i know.

What set up does everyone use??? i am running a moosmann 200 bassoon, with A2G moosmann crook, and simon chiswells reeds - although am trying a few of david locks..

regards

BB