Michel Denize & André Luy - Works for Bassoon & Organ (2024) [Hi-Res]

Sonata in D minor for bassoon and organ – Michel Corrette
Allegro, Aria Affettuoso, Allegro

It was in 1738 under the title ‘Delights of Solitude’ that a collection of 6 sonatas for bassoon or viola da gamba and continuo was published.

The three movements of the 2nd of these sonatas particularly bring out the qualities of the instrument.

Sonata in E minor for bassoon and organ – Benedetto Marcello
Adagio, Allegro, Largo, Allegretto

The brothers Alessandro and Benedetto Marcello were born in Venice in the same period as Vivaldi and Albinoni.

Benedetto, a man of many gifts, was a brilliant musician, but also a brilliant lawyer. If the discovery of the composer is comparatively recent, he was nevertheless a writer and a poet of considerable esteem in the 18th century.

This sonata perfectly reproduces Marcello’s spirit and rewards us with two fascinating movements.

Sonata in B flat major for bassoon and organ – Antonio Vivaldi
Largo, Allegro, Largo, Allegro

This sonata, which was originally written for the cello, is played here with the bassoon in the same tone and with the same tessitura, of course. This was quite common practice at the time; Vivaldi did not specify it on his manuscript, perhaps thinking he had given sufficient encouragement to the bassoonists… since he composed nearly 40 concertos for them.

This sonata is of immense musical interest. Each movement reflects a specific mood: melancholy, gladness, deep reflection, restrained liveliness… a whole life.

First Sonata – Giovanni Antonio Bertoli
Born about the year 1600, it was in 1645 that a book of 9 sonatas for bassoon and continuo was published.
The work is dedicated to Francesco Turini, organist and Bertoli’s teacher.
This sonata leads us to the origins of the literature for bassoon.

Sonata in E minor for bassoon and organ – Georg Philipp Telemann
Cantabile, Allegro, Recitative and Aria, Vivace

Telemann was blessed with an inexhaustible fund of inspiration. His work covers all the musical styles: piano pieces, chamber music, orchestral music, religious music, cantatas, oratorios, operas.

This sonata is taken from a series called ‘Musical Exercises’. The listener will note a recitative chorus followed by an elegant arioso.

Sonata in G major for bassoon and organ – Joseph Bodin de Boismortier
Largo, Allemande, Largo, Gigue

Born in Perpignan about 1691, Boismortier was also a prolific composer.

This sonata, from a collection for the cello, is one of the first to appear in France for this instrument.

But Boismortier, doubtless to ensure a wide circulation, also proposes it for bassoon or viola da gamba.

Isn’t the bassoon the cello of the wind instruments?