All bassoonists must confront the fact that bassoon literature is limited and does not include many works by the great masters. As a probing musician, I am therefore always interested in expanding the bassoon repertory, and in response have commissioned many new works. As I was researching repertory to record for this album, I turned to some of the greatest composers in history: J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Schumann, none of which wrote sonatas for bassoon and piano. Like many musicians throughout history who have transcribed works from other instruments for their own, I have chosen to do the same. The four pieces featured here were chosen because they allow the bassoon’s innate melodic voice and deep resonance to be fully expressed, while at the same time providing ample opportunity to hear this instrument’s huge range and rich and vibrant tonal palette.

PROGRAM

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)
Sonata in E-flat major, BWV.1031
I. Allegro moderato
II. Siciliano
III. Allegro

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Sonata in D major, Op.102, No. 2
I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto
III. Allegro

ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Three Romances, Op.94
Nicht schnell
Einfach, innig
Nicht schnell

JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Sonata in F minor, Op.120, No.1
I. Allegro appassionato
II. Andante un poco Adagio
III. Allegretto grazioso
IV. Vivace