If you’re not deeply familiar with the instruments in an orchestra, you may be a little fuzzy on which one is the bassoon. You may even know the SOUND of the instrument, thanks to Serge Prokofiev’s PETER AND THE WOLF (whose gruff Grandfather theme was played by the bassoon) and the famous opening theme of Igor Stravinsky’s RITE OF SPRING Ballet, played by the bassoon. So today you can learn more about bassoon and, more important, hear some Beautiful Music played on it by a superb young musician. For his senior recital in May 2013 at the Colburn School Conservatory, bassoonist Andrew Brady played the Sonata in f minor TWV 41:f1 by Georg Philipp Telemann. You can enjoy his virtuosic performance, while also learning more about the difficult and beautiful instrument.
(85) Telemann F minor sonata for bassoon, TWV 41f1 – YouTube
(85) Instrument: Bassoon – YouTube
(85) Peter and the Wolf – grandfather theme – YouTube
(85) Play Me an Excerpt, Ep. 5: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring Bassoon Solo – YouTube