Doublereed Archive - Posting 000026.txt from 2004/11

From: Tim Hunt <tim@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Bassoon Quartet Library
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 15:34:29 -0500

Kent Moore wrote:
> Hi Friends:
>
> I may have the opportunity to build a good-sized bassoon quartet/trio
> library for my school. We don't have too much. I am looking for a wide
> variety of pieces from very easy to difficult and different styles.

I am incredibly lucky to have a bassoon quartet where I work. We have
found a lot of nice pieces for both quartet and trio. In a lot of these
pieces, the first bassoon part goes up very high. Do not be surprised to
be asked to play at top C or D on occasion. And the 4th part often
grumbles away right down at the bottom. So if you mix the parts around,
it is very good at forcing you to practice over the whole range of the
instrument.

We particularly like the various pieces by Hartley. He tends to write
pieces with very fair parts. Everyone gets a turn at the tune.

Hartley: SUITE: Hornpipe, Waltz, March 3bn.
Hartley: ROUND THE MULBERRY BUSH 3bn.
Hartley: FANTASIA ON THE VICAR OF BRAY 4bn.
Hartley: FANTASIA ON A BRITISH TEA SONG 4bn.

We have also played and enjoyed:

Gaulton: DIVERTIMENTO No.17 in F 3bn.
Horovitz: RUMPOLE THEME 4bn.
Keating: DANCE HALL SUITE 4bn.
Ridout: PIGS a present for Gordon Jacob 4bn.

Those are just the ones I remember off the top of my head.

By the way, I am getting these listings from June Emerson Wind Music,
which is a good place to buy from in the UK. Go to
http://www.dmt.hiway.co.uk/acatalog/, and follow "Music for reeds",
"Bassoon Quartets" (or Trios).

You did not ask for duet recommendations, but perhaps you need something
for when one member of a trio fails to turn up?

The Mozart sonata for bassoon and cello K292 makes a lovely bassoon
duet. The Vanhal concerto for too bassoon is lovely - at least on my CD,
and the music is on by Christmas list. I've played one of the sonatas,
and that is good too, but I can't remember which one.

By the way, I am not a brilliant player, but I can manage most of the
above. They are moderately difficult.

Tim.

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