The human voice and the bassoon. Compositions featuring these two instruments in combination are rare, much more so than the pairing of the voice and the bassoon’s treble cousin, the oboe. There is no clear, overarching reason for the relative dearth of bassoon/vocal works, but it certainly cannot be for a lack of beauty, to which this recording attests.

PROGRAM

EGIL HOVLAND (b. 1924)
AGNUS DEI, OP. 167 for bassoon and mixed choir a cappella (2000-2002)
Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Miserere nobis
Dona nobis pacem

BERNARD VAN BEURDEN (b. 1933)
THE END OF TROY for female choir and bassoon (2003)

ADRIAN WILLIAMS (b. 1956)
MY HEART IS STEADFAST for a choir of four mixed voices and bassoon solo (1981)

EBERHARD EYSER (b. 1932)
ORATIONES PRO PACEM for mixed choir and solo bassoon (2010)

ADRIAN VERNON FISH (b. 1956)
OFEREN GERNEWEK VYGHAN (A Little Cornish Mass) (1984/2010)
for bassoon with four vocal soloists and double choir
Comendyans (Introitus)
Arluth (Kyrie)
Gordhys (Gloria)
Sans (Sanctus)
Benyghys (Benedictus)
Agan Tas-ny (Pater Noster)
On Dew (Agnus Dei)

FRANCISCO MIGNONE (1897-1986)
FIVE SONGS for bassoon and soprano (c.1931/1976)
Quando na roça anoitece
Canção de negros
Canção da mãe paupérrima
Assombração
Pinhão quente