Swing, Blues and Boogie

Description

An initial request to write a piece for the Asyla oboe quartet (Medieval Suite) started a ‘lockdown’ project to complete a set of ‘wind family’ pieces. A bassoon quartet quickly followed (Swing, Blues n’ Boogie) exploring their lesser-known funky side! Looking to exploit the idiomatic character of each group of instruments the haunting sound of the flute family creates Mist Waltz, March and Finale and the schizophrenic nature of the clarinets comes out in Psycho Cowboy and the Crazy Cow Chase! From these four quartets also came various arrangements for other ensembles.
Having completed the quartet for Oboe ensemble it seemed perfectly logical to turn to the woodwind instrument I know best for the second in this series of woodwind family quartets. As somewhat of a closet saxophone player bringing these three genres to the bassoon ensemble has been an extreme pleasure! The syncopation and close harmony ubiquitous in each of these movements seem to lend themselves to the often overlooked funky side of the bassoon family. Add to this an expressive poignancy inherent in the bassoon’s vocal nature and you have a winning combination! (Yes, I’m somewhat biased on this point!!). Let your hair down. Work out some choreography for the performance! Enjoy!