Album insights
Mozart truly grasped the essence of specific instruments like no other composer. In his music, the bassoon echoes the voice of the sea god, surpassing even Debussy's intricate fantasies in La Mer. Sitwell's vibrant description highlights the bassoon’s expressive range, showcased in the featured CD pieces. Mozart’s renowned B-flat Bassoon Concerto, composed at just eighteen years old, exemplifies humor, virtuosity, and lyrical depth across the instrument’s three-octave range. Michael Haydn's Concertino, a concert movement from a serenade, explores the bassoon's lyrical potential years before Mozart did. Carl Stamitz, a prime Classical composer, showcases melodic grace and innovation in his violin concerto, emphasizing expression over virtuosity. Carl Maria von Weber's F major Concerto and Andante e Rondo Ungarese stand out in a century with limited bassoon repertoire. Weber's works, initially published without scores, underwent revisions ensuring a faithful performance edition. His F major Concerto exhibits dramatic contrasts and lyrical depth, ending with a spectacular display of virtuosity. The inclusion of Weber’s op. 75 reflects the bassoon's transformative role, reclaiming its place as a timeless masterpiece.