CRYSTAL RECORDS - Bassoon, Contrabassoon Recordings
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CD341: A Harvest of 20th-Century Bassoon
Music. LEONARD SHARROW & JOSEH
POLISI, BASSOONS. UPC009414734129. BUY
NOW
Leonard Sharrow plays Ray Luke, Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra;
and Dan Welcher, Concerto Da Camera for Bassoon and Orchestra;
with the Crystal Chamber Orchestra, Ernest Gold, conductor. Joseph Polisi plays Villa-Lobos, Ciranda das Sete Notas; William Matthews, Sumer is Icumen
in – Lhude Sing; Marcel Bitsch,
Concertino; and David Noon, Motets and Monodies.
Leonard Sharrow was
one of the world’s best-known bassoonists, having been principal bassoon with
the NBC Symphony under Arturo Toscanini and the Chicago Symphony under Fritz
Reiner. Joseph Polisi was President of
The Juilliard School and has performed extensively in the United States as
bassoon soloist and chamber musician. “technical prowess and beauty of tone” Fanfare
Other
musicians on this CD are Ronald Roseman, Oboe; John Snow, English horn; Thomas
Schmidt, Piano; and the 44 instrumentalists in the Crystal Chamber Orchestra
plus conductor Ernest Gold.
Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35
seconds of the movement shown._(r)(to
return to this page after listening to samples, please use your browser back
button). Luke: Concerto Adagio-allegro Andante Allegro con brio Welcher: Concerto Da Camera Moderato Scherzo Calmo
Villa-Lobos Ciranda das Sete Notas
Matthews Sumer is Icumen in
Bitsch Concertino
Noon Motets and Monodies
CD345:
BACH AND BASSOON. Arthur Weisberg, Bassoon. Partita for flute in a minor, BWV 1013; Partita No. 2
for violin in d minor, BWV 1004; 
Suite No. 2
for violoncello in d minor, BWV 1008; Suite No. 3 for violoncello in C Major,
BWV1009. All performed by unaccompanied bassoon. UPC
00941473452-5 
BUY
NOW
Arthur Weisberg is one
of the world’s best-known bassoonists. Formerly principal with the Symphony of
the Air, the Houston and Baltimore Symphonies, and a member of the Cleveland
Orchestra and the New York Woodwind Quintet, he founded and conducted the
Contemporary Chamber Ensemble and the Orchestra of the 20th Century.
"There
are simply no finer bassoon sounds on record. Incredible technique, lyrical,
marvelously shaped tones, and unwavering interpretive powers mark this release
as fundamental for bassoonophiles and Bachians alike." _ American Record
Guide
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately
one minute of the movement shown.
Partita for flute: Mvt 1 (Allemande) Mvt 2 (Courante) Mvt 3 (Sarabande) Mvt 4 (Bouree Anglaise) Partita No. 2 for violin: Mvt 1 (Allemande) Mvt 2 (Courante)
Mvt 3 (Sarabande)
Mvt 4 (Gigue)
Suite No. 2 for Cello Mvt 1 (Prelude)
Mvt 2 (Allemande)
Mvt 3 (Courante)
Mvt 4 (Sarabande)
Mvt 5 (Menuet I &
II) Mvt 6 (Gigue)
Suite No. 3 for Cello Mvt 1 (Prelude)
Mvt 2 (Allemande)
Mvt 3 (Courante)
Mvt 4 (Sarabande)
Mvt 5 (Bourree I & II) Mvt 6 (Gigue)
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. with Mark Lindeblad,
piano. "Nigro is a veritable Paganini of the
contrabassoon. A fun disc!", Fanfare. This will test the bass of your
system. UPC 00941473462-4 “Nigro is a veritable Paganini of the contrabassoon…she can
make her instrument sing and articulate like a nightingale.” Fanfare. |
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Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately
one minute of the movement shown. Muradian Contrabassoon Concerto: Mvt 1 (Adagio;Allegro) Mvt 2 (Adagio) Mvt 3 (Moderato) Draganski: Heart's
Desire
Palider: The
Narwhal Nicholson: Miniature Suite Mvt 1(Prelude)
Mvt 2(Poco adagio) Mvt 3(Waltz)
Mvt 4(Finale)
Warren: Music
for Contrabassoon Doran: Four
Movements Mvt 1(Largo)
Mvt 2(Theme & Variations) Mvt 3(Andante)
Mvt 4(Allegro)
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DeBolt is former
principal Kansas City Philharmonic, Birmingham and Tulsa Symphonies, and the
Santa Fe Opera. Some of the best bassoon solo music of this
century. “consistently beautiful tone & lyrical grace” Fanfare. CD347 Sound
samples (mp3 files) Click
on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown._(r)(to
return to this page after listening to samples, please use your browser back
button) CD347 Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear
up to 35 seconds of the movement shown.
(to return to
this page after listening to samples, please use your browser back button) Heiden Serenade: Mvt 1 (Notturno) Mvt 2 (March) Mvt 3 (Intermezzo) Mvt 4 (Scherzo) Mvt 5 (Epilogue) Osborne: Rhapsody Etler:
Sonata Mvt 1(Moderately slow) Mvt 2(Fast)
Mvt 3(Slow)
Mvt 4(Fast)
Farago: Variations Garfield: Poéme
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Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the
link to hear approximately one minute of the movement shown.
Dorff: Sonatina d'Amore Mvt 1 (Allegro cantabile) Mvt 2 (Allegro) Mvt 3 (Molto allegro) Ozi: Sonata No.
1 Mvt 1 (Allegro) Mvt 2 (Andantino) Mvt 3 (Polonaise) Weisberg: From the Deep Mozart: Sonata for bassoon & cello Mvt 1 (Allegro) Mvt 2 (Andante) Mvt 3 (Rondo) Vanhal: Concerto
for 2 bassoons Mvt 1 (Allegro moderato) Mvt 2 (Andante grazioso) Mvt 3 (Allegro) Curtis: The Impish Imp
CD354: WEISS FAMILY WOODWINDS, Then and Now. Dawn Weiss, Flute; David Weiss, Oboe; Abraham Weiss, Bassoon.
with Zita Carno, Piano. UPC 009414735423. BUY
NOW
Vivaldi, Sonata in G Minor (flute, oboe,
bassoon, harpsichord); Messiaen, Le Merle Noir (flute, piano); Bourdeau, Premier Solo (bassoon, piano); Hindemith, Sonata
(oboe, piano); Tomas Svoboda, Trio (flute, oboe, bassoon); Worthey, Sandcastles
(flute, oboe, bassoon).
Dawn Weiss
was principal flute 25 years Oregon Symphony; David Weiss was principal oboe 30
years Los Angeles Philharmonic; Abraham Weiss is principal bassoon Rochester
Philharmonic (40 years). The Svoboda and
Worthey pieces were recorded live at their world premieres on April 3, 2010 at the University of Southern California. The other
pieces were originally on Crystal Records LP S354, released in 1978, and
digitally remastered for this CD in 2010
“played superbly, marvelous sensitivity” Fanfare
Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35
seconds of the movement shown._(r)
Vivaldi: Sonata in G Minor Allegro
ma cantabile Largo Allegro
molto Messiaen: La
Merle Noir Bourdeau:
Premier
Solo Hindemith: Sonata Munter Sehr
Langsam; Lebhaft Svoboda: Trio Andante Vivace Lento Vivace Andante
maestoso Worthey: Sandcastles (to return to this page after listening
to samples, please use your browser back button)
CD358: PAS DE TROIS. Kenneth Tse, Saxophone,
Benjamin Coelho, Bassoon, Alan Huckleberry, Piano. Bernard Van Beurden: Pas de trois; Jindrich
Feld: Trio Giocoso; David Froom: Arirang Variations; Perry Goldstein: Noir; Don
Freund: Louder than Words
UPC 00941473582-9 BUY
NOW Click here for CD
cover photo and details
"While
the instrumentation of this trio may seem unusual, the timbres blend
beautifully and create interesting counterpoint throughout this wonderful
recording. The varied and substantial repertoire is well-chosen and
includes 20th century pieces written for this instrumentation as well as
adaptations of trios with other instrumentations." (The
Instrumentalist)
Saxophone, Bassoon, and Piano is an unusual combination that creates an
exciting and vibrant sound. The works on
this CD represent some of the finest writing for this combination, and the
performers are three of the best practitioners of their art. They are on the faculty at the University of
Iowa and perform internationally.
Sound samples
(uses RealPlayer) Click
on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Van Beurden: Pas de trois: Ouverture Pastorale
Tarantella
Feld: Trio Giocoso: Allegro
Andante
Allegro vivo
Froom: Arirang Variations
Goldstein: Noir
Freund: Louder than Words: Part I
Part II
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“the soloists are outstanding” Fanfare |
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Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately
one minute of the title shown.
J S Bach: Christmas
Oratorio Telemann: Cantata
Concerto
in D Major Fasch: Sonata
in C Major
J S Bach: Er
ist's, der ganz allein Handel: Alexander’s
Feast Telemann: Lieder Concerto
in D (for trumpet, 2 oboes, strings)
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“Greitzer is fluent and musical in
her Vivaldi Concerto.” Fanfare |
|
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one
minute of the title shown.
J S Bach: Wacht Auf (BWV 20) Torelli: Sonata
in D
Vivaldi: Concerto
"La Notte" Marcello: Salmo
Decimoquinto Stradella: Sinfonia
to the Serenata Marcello: Sonata
No. 5 Bach: Wacht Auf (BWV 110)
CD710: Wind Effusions. DANILO LOZANO, FLUTE; DAVID MULLER,
BASSOON. Heitor Villa-Lobos, Bachianas Brasileiras #6; Hanning Schröder, Music for Flute and Bassoon; Piere
Gabay, Sonatine for Flute
and Bassoon; Willson Osborne, Rhapsody for Bassoon;
Astor Piazzolla, Etudes Tanguistiques
(nos. 3 & 4); Jan Bach, Music for a Low-Budget Epic; Eugene Bozza, Sonatine for Flute and
Bassoon. UPC 00941477102-5. 
BUY
NOW
Danilo
Lozano, a founding member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, has recorded on all
Hollywood Bowl releases. David Muller is former principal of the Mexico City
Philharmonic and the Westwood Wind Quintet. This CD features some of the best
music for flute and bassoon duo. Some of the works are standard repertoire and
some are not very well known, but all are excellent music that has not been
over-recorded.
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Schröder: Music for Flute and Bassoon I.
Praeludium: fliessend II.
Praeludium: Ruhig gehend III.
Leicht bewegt IV.
Ruhig V.
Mässig bewegt Villa-Lobos Bachianas
Brasileiras #6:
I.
Aria (Choro) II.
Fantasia Gabaye
Sonatine for Flute and Bassoon: I.
Mod_(c)r_(c) sans lenteur II.
Andante III.
Rapide et brillant Osborne:
Rhapsody
for Bassoon Piazzolla Etudes Tanguistiques
for unaccompanied flute: #4
Lento-Meditativo
#3
Molto marcato e energico Bach Music For A Low-Budget Epic:” I.
Overture (Studio Logo and Title Credits) II.
Burlesca (Muzak at an
Intergalactic Cantina) III.
Romanza (Nocturnal Love Scene on a Balcony) IV.
Thrilling Conclusion (Dead Heat at a Chariot Race) Bozza Sonatine for Flute and Bassoon: I.
Allegro II.
Andantino III.
Vif
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“Beautiful blend & great artistry”
American Rcd
Guide.
CD821 Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to
hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown._(r) (to return to this page after listening
to samples, please use your browser back button)
Sonata
No. 4 Mvmt
I Mvmt
II Mvmt
III Mvmt
IV Sonata No. 5 Mvmt
I Mvmt
II Mvmt
III Sonata No. 6 Mvmt
I Mvmt
II Mvmt
III Mvmt
IV
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Arthur Grossman was Professor of Bassoon
at the University of Washington and bassoonist with the Soni
Ventorum Wind Quintet. Frank Kowalski has been principal
clarinet with various US orchestras and teaches at Interlochen Arts Academy in
Michigan and Florida State University in Tallahassee. Seth Krimsky
is principal bassoon in the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera.
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Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the
movement shown.
Performers are David DeBolt, Bassoon; Timothy Ehlen
and Jan Meyer Thompson, Piano; Edward Ormond and Katharine DeBolt, Viola; Kent Collier, Cello; Mary Sue Hyatt,
Mezzo-soprano; and Sylvia Villarreal, Soprano. Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the
movement shown. |
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CD842: BASSOON POWER.
David Breidenthal, Bassoon.
Henri Dutilleux, Sarabande et
Cortege; Vincent Persichetti, Parable for Solo Bassoon; Paul Chihara, Fleeting
Shadows, Still Reflections; Paul Chihara, The Beauty
of the Rose is in its Passing; Gernot Wolfgang, Moody Blues; Alexandre Tansman,
Suite for Bassoon; Zdenek Sestak, Five Virtuoso
Inventions. UPC 00941478422-3 BUY
NOW
David Breidenthal was principal bassoonist with the Los Angeles
Philharmonic, a position he held for over 30 years. He is one of the world's
most respected bassoonists.
“a
fine, sensitive musician” Fanfare
Sound samples (uses
RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear
approximately one minute of the movement shown.
Dutilleux: Sarabande Chihara
Fleeting Shadows: Mvt 1 (Yuki) Mvt 2 (Kabuki) Mvt 3 (Rocky) Mvt 4 (Red) Wolfgang: Moody
Blues Persichetti: Parable Tansaman: Suite Mvt 1 (Intro) Mvt 2 (Sarabande) Mvt 3 (Scherzo) Chihara: Beauty
of the Rose Sestak: Inventions Mvt 1 (Recitativo) Mvt 2 (Allegro) Mvt 3 (Seriosamente) Mvt 4 (Molto allegro) Mvt 5 (Recitativo)
CD843: NEW TUNES FOR THE BIG BASSOON, Susan
Nigro, Contrabassoon. Barton Cummings, Concertino for
Contrabassoon and Arioso; Timothy Grassel,
Reminiscences; P. Kellach Waddle, Broken Icicle
Twilight & Severe Thunderstorm Warning; Edward McKenna, Bagatelle; Ann
Marie Kurrasch, Ponderings from the Pond; Graham Powning, Sonata. Sue Nigro with Mark Lindeblad, piano. UPC 00941478432-2 BUY
NOW Click here for
CD843 cover photo and details
Susan
Nigro lives in Chicago and plays often with the Chicago Symphony. This is her
third solo CD. "Nigro is a veritable
Paganini of the contrabassoon." Fanfare;
"Her musicality glows." American
Record Guide
Sound samples
(uses RealPlayer) Click
on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Concertino: Mvt 1
(Caprice) Mvt 2 (Pavilion Dreams) Mvt 3 (Variations) Reminiscences: Mvt 1 (Andantino) Mvt 2 (Piacevole) Waddle: Broken
Icicle Twilight Cummings: Arioso McKenna: Bagatelle Kurrasch: Ponderings
from the Pond Waddle: Severe
Thunderstorm Warning Powning: Sonata Mvt 1 (The Stranded Whale) Mvt 2 (The Rescue
by Humans) Mvt 3 (Free Again in the Ocean)
CD844: BRAVURA BASSOON. Benjamin Coelho,
Bassoon. Heitor Villa-Lobos: Corrupio, Bailado for bassoon and
string quintet; Johann Evangelist Brandl: Quintet in
B-flat Major, Op. 52, No. 1; Gordon Jacob: Suite for Bassoon and String
Quartet; Bernhard Heiden: Serenade for Bassoon,
Violin, Viola, and Cello; Gerardo Diri_(c): Anjo Breve for bassoon and string quintet UPC 00941478442-1 BUY
NOW Click here for
cover photo and details
“Coelho is fantastic” American Record Guide. “Unfailingly sonorous, expressive, and alert” Gramophone.
Benjamin
Coelho with the Maia String Quartet, Christine Rutledge, viola, Volkan Orhon, bass, and Anthony Arnone, conductor.
Brazilian-born bassoonist Benjamin Coelho is presently on the faculty at the
University of Iowa in Iowa City. He has been principal bassoon with symphony
orchestras in Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, and Belo Horizonte.
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute
of the movement shown.
Brandl: Quintet in Bb: Allegro
ma non troppo Andante
con moto Minuetto Moderato Jacob: Suite: Prelude Caprice Elegy Rondo Heiden:
Serenade: Notturno March Intermezzo Scherzo Epilogue Villa-Lobos: Corrupio, Bailado Diri_(c): Anjo Breve: Preambulo A
Bengala Zuniu no Ar Ao Longo do Tempo
CD845: BELLISSIMA, Susan Nigro,
Contrabassoon & Mark Lindeblad, Piano. Rossini,
Cavatina from La Gazza Ladra; Rossini, Introduction,
Theme and Variations from Quartet #6; Rossini, Allegro; Albinoni, Adagio in g minor;
Vivaldi, Sonata no. 3 in a minor; Besozzi, Sonata in Bb major; Nussio, Divertimento; Procaccini,
Moments. UPC 00941478452-0 BUY
NOW Click here for
CD845 cover photo and details
"Susan Nigro is the world's best exponent of the
contrabassoon and tames the beast, having it sing and swoon." (American
Record Guide) One of the world's very few soloists on this instrument, her
numerous recitals and solo appearances have occurred in such places as
Salzburg, Montevideo, Rome, and throughout the United States. She has been
called "a veritable Paganini of the
contrabassoon."
(Fanfare)
This is Susan Nigro's fourth CD on Crystal Records. All have been received with great acclaim. She is a resident of Chicago and frequently plays
with the Chicago Symphony.
Sound samples
(uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the
movement shown.
Besozzi: Sonata in B flat major
Allegro Adagio
Presto Rossini: La Gazza Ladra:
Cavatina Moderato Allegro grazioso Procaccini:
Moments Albinoni: Adagio in g minor Rossini: Allegro Nussio:
Divertimento Intrada Minuetto Pantomima Nenia Corteggio Vivaldi: Sonata No. 3 in a
minor Largo Allegro
Largo
Allegro Rossini: Introduction, Theme
& Variations
Introduction
Theme Variation I Variation II Variation III Variation IV Finale
CD846: BECK AND CALL. Carolyn Beck, Bassoon. With Delores
Stevens, Piano and Kira Blumberg, Viola. Andr_(c)
Previn, Sonata for Bassoon and Piano; Marcel Bitsch,
Concertino; Alex Shapiro, Of Breath and Touch; Deep for Contrabasson
and pre-recorded track; Don Chamberlain, Beck and Call for Bassoon and
pre-recorded track; Michal Spisak, Duetto Concertante
for Viola and Bassoon; Moshe Zorman, A Grizzly's
Dream. UPC 00941478462-9 BUY
NOW
“extremely inviting disc. [Beck plays] with keen sense of
phrasing and color.” Gramophone.
Carolyn
Beck is a champion of new music, having commissioned and performed new solo
works throughout the United States.
This CD has the premiere recording of the Andre Previn Sonata and three works
written specifically for Beck. The other works enjoy first recordings also. She has been principal bassoonist of the Buffalo
Philharmonic and the Orquesta Sinfonica
del Principado de Asturias in Spain, is presently
principal bassoonist with the Redlands Symphony and the San Bernardino
Symphony, and also performs with many other concert and studio recording
orchestras in the Los Angeles area.
Sound samples (mp3 files)
Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown._(r)(to return to this
page after listening to samples, please use your browser back button)
Shapiro: Of Breath and Touch Previn: Sonata for Bassoon and Piano: With energy Slowly Vivace, very rhythmically Spisak: Duetto Concertante: Lento Allegro Andante Allegro Zorman: A Grizzly's Dream: Sunday in the park with Pooh Lullaby Pooh's nightmare Bitsch: Concertino Shapiro: Deep Chamberlain: Beck and Call
CD847: ORIGINAL TUNES FOR THE BIG BASSOON.
Susan Nigro, Contrabassoon. Ann Marie Kurrasch,
A Day at the Park; Frank Proto, Little Suite for the Big Bassoon*; Elaine Fine,
More Greek Myths & Harlequin Sonata; Joel Bjorling,
Night Shadows* & Dreamscapes*; David Stybr, ContraBassooNova; Giorgio Koukl,
Potato polca. *The works by Proto and Bjorling are for Unaccompanied Contrabassoon. On the other works, Susan Nigro is joined by
Mark Lindeblad, piano. UPC 00941478472-8. BUY
NOW Click here for
more information and cover photo.
Susan Nigro is
probably the world’s best-known contrabassoon soloist. This is her sixth CD on
Crystal Records. “Nigro
can make her instrument sing and articulate like a nightingale, and here her
art is captured in fine sound.” (Fanfare). “Susan Nigro is the world’s best
exponent of the contrabassoon and tames the beast, having it sing and swoon.” (American Record Guide)
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Kurrasch: A Day at the
Park I.
Hooray! We're Here! II.
Soliloquy on the Clouds III.
Catching Butterflies Proto:
Little Suite for the Big Bassoon I.
Adagio - Quasi Cadenza II.
Allegro III.
Slow, funky blues IV.
Tempo di Mambo Fine: More Greek
Myths I.
Apollo II.
Artemis III.
The Labors of Heracles IV.
Aphrodite V.
Dionysus Bjorling: Night
Shadows I.
Prelude II.
Phantasm III.
Mystery Caper Stybr: ContraBassooNova
"Um Imaginação do Brasil" Fine: Harlequin Sonata I.
Moderato II.
Tempo di Siciliano III.
Allegro Bjorling:
Dreamscapes I.
Dreamtime II.
Etude III.
Jazz Walk Koukl:
Potato
polca
CD848: SCOTT
JOPLIN RAGS FOR THE BIG BASSOON. Susan Nigro, Contrabassoon, plays 18 of Scott
Joplin’s most famous Rags. UPC 009414784827. BUY NOW
An extraordinary
recording of an extraordinary American composer. Scott Joplin's
Rags are well-known to listeners, having been used in many movie scores (such
as "The Sting") and having been a mainstay in popular concerts for
more than a century. This CD features 18 Rags, including his most-popular Maple
Leaf Rag and The Entertainer. They are played by Susan Nigro, probably the
world's foremost solo contrabassoonist. Pianist is Mark Lindeblad.
The Rags are amazingly effective in these renditions. Click here for more information and cover photo.
Included in this
collection are Maple Leaf Rag, Original Rag, The Easy Winners, Cleopha, The Strenuous Life, Elite Syncopations, The
Favorite, The Sycamore, The Chrysanthemum, The Cascades, Bethena, Rag-Time
Dance, Fig Leaf Rag, Solace, Pleasant Moments, New Rag, Magnetic Rag, and The
Entertainer.
“a
taste of humor…a barrel of enjoyment” American Record
Guide
“This
fun collection of 18 Scott Joplin tunes is bookended by familiar favorites
Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer, with plenty to enjoy in between. The
arrangements are expertly done, and Nigro and Lindeblad
play exceptionally well together.” The Instrumentalist
CD848 Sound samples
(mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement
shown._(r) (to return to this page after
listening to samples, please use your browser back button)
Maple
Leaf Rag Original
Rags The
Easy Winners, A Ragtime Two Step Cleopha, March and Two Step The
Strenuous Life, A Ragtime Two Step
Elite
Syncopations The
Favorite, A Ragtime Two Step The
Sycamore, A Concert Rag The
Chrysanthemum, An Afro-American Intermezzo The
Cascades, A Rag Bethena,
A Concert Waltz Rag-Time
Dance, A Stop-Time Two Step Fig
Leaf Rag, A High Class Rag Solace,
A Mexican Serenade Pleasant
Moments, Ragtime Waltz New Rag Magnetic
Rag The
Entertainer, A Rag Time Two Step
BONUS: To have a little joy to help alleviate CoronaVirus anxiety, hear the entire Joplin
Cleopha, March and Two Step
CD849: Mille Morte, Recital Pieces for Bassoon and Piano. UPC 009414784926
David Muller, Bassoon; Rose Chen, Piano BUY
NOW
Alexandre
Tansman, Sonatine; Nino Rota, Toccata; Malcom Arnold,
Fantasy for Bassoon; Peter Schickele, Summer Serenade; Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov,
Flight of the Bumble Bee; Vincent Persichetti, Parable for Solo Bassoon;
Jean-Baptiste Arban, Variations on “Carnival of
Venice” (arr. by William Schmidt); Paul Chihara,
Fleeting Shadows, Still Reflections; Maurice Allard, Variations on a Theme of
Paganini; Pierre Ancelin, La Naissance de Gargantua.
David
Muller has been principal bassoon with the Mexico City Symphony and all major
Southern California orchestras, including the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Pacific
Symphony, and Long Beach Symphony. From 1987 to 2003 he was bassoonist with the
internationally-acclaimed Westwood Wind Quintet. Rose Chen has performed as
soloist and chamber musician in Canada, Austria, Brazil, France, Israel, Hong
Kong, and China.
Mille
Morte roughly translates to "a thousand
little deaths" and refers to the difficulty and emotional high points of
the music, there being a climax in almost every phrase. All the pieces, indeed,
are intense as well as beautiful. This program represents some of the best-known
recital works for bassoon as well as some fabulous lesser-known works
“Muller
unquestionably has 'chops'...[His] playing is persuasive in
every parameter. This recital ought to
please wind enthusiasts and others who are interested in off-the-beaten-track
repertory. Another feather in Crystal’s already stuffed cap.” Fanfare, Mar/Apr, 2018 (David DeBoor Canfield)
CD849 Sound samples
(mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement
shown._(r) (to return to this page after
listening to samples, please use your browser back button)
Tansman: Sonatine
I.
Allegro con moto II.
Largo Cantabile III.
Presto Rota: Toccata Arnold: Fantasy
for Bassoon Schikele: Summer Serenade
I.
Dreams II.
Games III.
Songs and Dances
Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight
of the Bumblebee Persichetti: Parable
for Solo Bassoon Arban: Variations
on “Carnival of Venice” Chihara: Fleeting Shadows, Still Reflection I.
Yuki II.
Kabuki III.
Rocky IV.
Red Allard: Variations
on a theme of Paganini Ancelin: La Naissance de Gargantua I.
Lamentation de Gargamelle II.
L’Etrange Nativit_(c)
CD870: 25th Anniversary, International Double Reed Society. Andre Previn:
Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon (1994); Jean Francaix:
Trio pour Hautbois, Basson et
Piano (1994); Heitor Villa-Lobos: Duo pour Hautbois et Basson (1957); Gioacchino Rossini: Six Arias from the Barber of Seville
(arr. Gebauer)
. UPC 00941478702-6 BUY
NOW
This CD demonstrates the superb artistry and virtuosity of today’s double reed
professionals. Performing are some of the best oboists and bassoonists in the
world:
John Mack (first oboe Cleveland Orchestra), David McGill (first bassoon Chicago
Symphony), Alex Klein (first oboe, Chicago Symphony), George Sakakeeny (Professor Oberlin Conservatory, formerly
principal bassoon New Japan Philharmonic of Tokyo), Cynthia Koledo
DeAlmeida (first oboe Pittsburgh Symphony), Nancy Goeres (first bassoon Pittsburgh Symphony), Stefano Canuti and Sergio Azzolini
(bassoonists major Italian orchestras). With Andre Previn, Piano, and Elizabeth
De Mio, Piano.
. “well-recorded,
superbly-performed disc” Turok’ s Choice.
Sound
samples (mp3 files) Click
on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown._(r)(to return to this page after listening
to samples, please use your browser back button).
Francaix Trio:
Mvt 1 (Adagio) Mvt 2 (Resolute) Mvt 3 (Andante) Mvt 4 (Finale)
Rossini Arias:
Mvt 1 (Ecco ridente) Mvt 2 (Largo) Mvt 3 (Una voce) Mvt 4 (Dunque) Mvt 5 (Zitti zitti)
Mvt 6 (Felice innesto)
Villa-Lobos Duo:
Mvt 1 (Allegro) Mvt 2 (Lento) Mvt 3 (Allegro vivace) Previn Trio:
Mvt 1 (Lively) Mvt 2 (Slow) Mvt 3 (Jaunty)
CD871: OBOES, ENGLISH HORNS, BASSOONS, &
CONTRABASSOON: MUSIC FOR DOUBLE-REED ENSEMBLE and LUKAS FOSS: Oboe
Concerto. Bert Gassman, Oboe; members
Los Angeles Philharmonic. J.S. Bach, Ricercar from The Musical Offering;
Handel, Two Arias for Double-Reeds;
Boris Pillin, Three Pieces for Double-Reed Septet;
George Heussenstamm, Set for Double-Reeds; Lukas
Foss, Oboe Concerto. UPC 00941478712-5 BUY
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"What a gorgeous sound!", The
Instrumentalist. "playing of
Bert Gassman is an absolute miracle. Recording of
Special Merit", Stereo
Review
Sound samples
(uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to
hear approximately one minute of the movement shown.
Bach: Ricercar Handel Two Pieces: Mvt 1 (Allegro) Mvt 2 (Vivace) Pillin Three
Pieces: Mvt 1 (Andante) Mvt 2 (Allegretto) Mvt 3(Allegro)
Heussenstamm: Set Intro
& 1 2 3 4 5 Foss: Oboe Concerto Mvt 1(Moderato)
Mvt 2(Andante)
Mvt 3(Moderato; Allegro)
CD872: FANTASY FOR WIZARDS! played by
Wizards! A Double Reed Consort. Greg Morton, Fantasy for Wizards; Michael
Curtis, A Klezmer Wedding; Michael Kibbe, Divertimento; Frederic Chopin, Waltz
Brilliante; John Corina, Suite for Double Reed Quintet; Dinos
Constantinides, Transformations for oboe alone; Louis
Moreau Gottschalk, Danza, op. 33; Bela Bartok, Romanian Folk Dances ; Johann Wenth, Quartette Concertante.
Wizards has been called "the world series of double reed playing." This
is a fascinating album featuring this ensemble of oboes, oboes d'amore, English horns, and bassoons. UPC 00941478722-4 BUY
NOW Click here for
cover photo and details
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately
one minute of the title/movement shown.
Morton: Fantasy
for Wizards! Curtis: A
Klezmer Wedding
Kibbe Divertimento: Mvt 1 (Adagio) Mvt 2 (March) Mvt 3 (Andante) Mvt 4 (Fugue)
Chopin: Waltz
Brillante Corina: Suite Slowly Fast Slowly Castles
in the Air Tender
Conversation On
the Playground Gottschalk: Danza Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances Joc
cu Bâtâ Brâul Pe
Loc Buciumeana Poarca Româeasca Maruntel Wenth: Quartette Concertante Allegro
Ma Non Troppo
Adagio Menuetto Andantino
CD873: WANTED - THE BASSOON BROTHERS. Wanted
for low-down playing and bass behavior. UPC 00941478732-3 BUY
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Bassoon Quartet: Mark
Eubanks, Robert Naglee, Juan de Gomar,
Bonnie Fillmore Cox
Gounod "Funeral March
of a Marionette", Irving Berlin "Alexander’s Ragtime Band", Carl
Maria von Weber "Fantasy #1 (from Concerto in F)", Edvard Grieg
"Hall of the Mountain King", David Carroll "The Wedding
Guest", Hoagy Carmichael "Georgia On My Mind", Leo Delibes
"Pizzicati", Leroy Anderson "Bugler's
Holiday", Peter Schickele "Last Tango in Bayreuth",
Pierre Max Dubois "Scherzo pour 4 Bassons",
Lorenz Hart/Richard Rogers "Bewitched", Georges Bizet "Dragoons
(Entr'acte from Carmen)", Peter Schickele "Blue Set No. 2 for Four
Bassoons", Dave Brubeck "Blue Rondo A La Turk" Lowell Shaw
"Frippery #19", "Frippery #2", Jimmy Forest "Night
Train" & "Red River Valley" Click here for
cover photo and details
“Just plain hilarious” Seattle Times.
Sound samples (uses
RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear
approximately one minute of the title shown.
Gounod: Funeral
March
Berlin: Alexander's
Ragtime Band von Weber: Fantasy
#1
Grieg: Hall
of the Mountain King Carroll: The
Wedding Guest Carmichael: Georgia
on My Mind Delibes: Sylvia, ou
La nymphe de
Diane Pizzicati Anderson: Bugler's
Holiday Schickele: Last
Tango in Bayreuth Dubois: Scherzo Hart/Rogers:
Bewitched,
Bothered and Bewildered Bizet: Carmen Entr'acte: Dragoons Schickele: Blue Set No.2 Bassooner or Later Portlandia
in Cerulean Gang
of Wolves Brubeck: Blue
Rondo à la Turk Shaw: Fripperies Frippery
No 19 Frippery
No 2 Forest: Night
Train Forest: Red
River Valley
CD874: CLASSICAL WIZARDS. Performed by WiZARDS! A Double Reed Consort. Beethoven, Trio, op. 87,
for 2 oboes and English horn; Antonio Salieri, Variations sulia
Follia di Spagna, for 2
oboes, 2 English horns, & 2 bassoons; W. A. Mozart, Impressario
Overture, trans. for 3 oboes, English horn, 2 bassoons, and contra bassoon;
Johann Baptist Schenk, Quartetto for oboe, 2 English
horns, and bassoon; Frantisek Xaver Dussek, Parthia for 2 oboes, 2 English horns, and bassoon. UPC 00941478742-2 BUY
NOW Click here for
cover photo and details
WiZARDS! has been called "the
world’s series of double reed playing." They
toured throughout the U.S.and appeared at many music
festivals. Their first CD received great recognition for its "miraculous playing...magic abounds" (Fanfare).
The players performed in orchestras throughout the Great Lakes region and
taught at colleges in Iowa City; Oshkosh, Wisconsin;Chicago,
Illinois; and others. Members of the group are Mark Weiger,
Andrea Gullickson, oboes; S. Blake
Duncan, English horn; Greg Morton, bassoon. Assisted by Michael Ericson,
oboe/English horn; Benjamin Coelho, bassoon; Michael Dicker, contrabassoon
Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one
minute of the movement shown.
Beethoven Trio: Mvt 1 (Allegro) Mvt 2 (Adagio) Mvt 3 (Menuetto) Mvt 4 (Finale)
Schenk Quartetto: Mvt 1 (Allegro moderato) Mvt 2(Menuetto)
Mvt 3(Un poco adagio) Mvt 4(Rondo)
Salieri: Variations Dussek:
Parthia Mvt 1 Mvt 2 Mvt 3 Mvt 4 Mozart:
Impressario Overture
CD875: CAPTURED! The Bassoon Brothers. Fanfare for
the Common Bassoonist (Copland/Eubanks), Hey Jude (Lennon/McCartney/Luis),
Mexican Hat Dance (Partichala/Young), My Funny
Valentine (Rodgers/Hart/Eubanks), My Girl (Robinson/White/Eubanks), Carmen
Crusader Suite (Bizet/Eubanks), Pigs (Ridout), Yankee
Doodle (arr. Bartkowiak), Louie, Louie, Roll Out the
Barrel (Berry/Eubanks), Send in the Clowns (Sondheim/Eubanks), Funeral March of
a Marionette (Gounod/Solie), Three Little Maids from
the Mikado (Gilbert & Sullivan/Eubanks), The Godfather Suite
(Rota/Eubanks), Pizzicato Polka (Strauss/Eubanks), Electronic Suite arr.
Eubanks), Londonderry Air (arr. Eubanks) UPC 00941478752-1 BUY
NOW Click here for
cover photo and details
The Bassoon Brothers first album "Wanted _ The Bassoon
Brothers" was called "Just plain hilarious" by the Seattle Times., and " a sort of all-bassoon version of the Canadian
Brass" by
Audiophile Auditions. It
quickly became one of our best-selling albums. This second CD is at least as
entertaining. The quartet is the bassoon section of the Oregon Symphony in
Portland.
Sound samples (uses
RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up
to one minute of the title shown.
Fanfare Hey
Jude Mexican
Hat Dance My
Funny Valentine My
Girl Carmen Suite:
Habanera Prelude Aragonaise
Pigs Yankee
Doodle Louie,
Louie Send
in the Clowns Funeral
March of a Marionette 3
Little Maids Godfather
Suite: Waltz Sibelius
Interlude Love
Theme Pizzicato
Polka Electronic Suite: Sabre
Dance Rock
Etude #10 Purple
Haze Londonderry
Air
CD876, Wizards! Finale.
UPC 009414787620. >
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Music for Double Reed
Ensemble: Gilman Collier, Fantasy;
Graham Powning, Sextuor;
Phil Freihofner, Das Golem Part 2; Louis-Emmanuel Jadin, Nocturne No. 1 in d-moll; Ange Fl_(c)gier, Quatuor; Jerzy Mlodziejowski, Kwartet; Mladen Pozajic, Tri Stavka.
Wizards! Was an active
performing group for 18 years until the death in 2008 of its leader and founder
Mark Weiger. These seven gems come from the group’s
research library of over 500 pieces. The first Crystal release by Wizards!
elicited the comment
from Fanfare Magazine: “Miraculous playing…magic abounds.”
The magic still abounds in this one. The
core group is Mark Weiger, oboe, Andrea Gullickson,
oboe d’amore; S. Blake Duncan, English horn; and Greg
Morton, bassoon. On some of the pieces they are joined by Jack McCauley,
English horn; and Jeff Tlighman, bassoon.
“glowing tone, immaculate technique,
pristine intonation, ideal ensemble blend...snap this delectable item up.” Fanfare
Sound
samples (mp3 files) Click on
the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown. Jadin: Nocturne
No. 1 Theme & Variations Allegro Fl_(c)gier: Allegretto giocoso Andante sostenuto Allegro Mlodziejowski: Allegretto moderato Andante cantabile Allegro scherzando Pozajic: Tri Stavka Andante Largo Allegretto Collier: Fantasy Powning: Sextuor Serenade: Allegro Minuetto and Trio Largo Finale: Aperto Freihofner: Das Golem Part 2
(to return to this page after listening to
samples, please use your browser back button)
CD980: COOL TUNES FOR THE BIG BASSOON. Susan
Nigro, Contrabassoon. Mark Lindeblad, Piano. UPC009414798022 BUY
NOW
Jared Isaac Aragón, Little Suite for the Big Bassoon and Nebulae (Sonata for
Contrabassoon and Piano); Jay Vosk, The Giant
Stirred and Contra Blue; Alan Palider, L’Italiano Molto Breve; Joel Bjorling,
Suite in A Mnor; Ann Marie Kurrasch,
Chicago Cakewalk.
Susan Nigro
is one of the world’s very few contrabassoonists to have made a
career of playing recitals, doing solo appearances, and making recordings. She
has performed in places such as Salzburg, Montevideo, Rome, and throughout the
United States, and also frequently presents master classes. She performs
frequently with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Her quest for
solo literature has inspired her to commission and premier more than fifty
pieces for the contrabassoon – with more compositions still in the works. All of the works on this CD were commissioned by, written
for, and premiered by Susan Nigro. This CD was recorded n 2021. Click here for more
information about Susan Nigro.
“Susan
Nigro is more than a terrific contrabassoonist. She is a superb musician who
happens to play the contrabassoon. Because of her serious musicianship married
to a virtually flawless technique, Nigro has made a bigger solo career with
that instrument than anyone might have thought possible…The music displays a
sense of fun, but also a beautiful lyricism that might surprise you.” Fanfare, May/June 2022 (Henry Fogel)
“The
works showcase Nigro’s beautiful singing tone, impressive breath control,
facility in bravura passages, and her celebration…of the instrument’s
sepulchral low register. A most enriching and uplifting musical experience. Five Stars: Susan Nigro’s tour de force of music for contrabassoon.” Fanfare, May/June 2022 (Ken
Meltzer)
“Five Stars: a real eyeopener…Nigro
is a real ambassador for the contrabassoon. Give it a try; you won’t regret
it.” Fanfare,
May/June 2022 (Colin Clarke)
“Susan Nigro has been
a shining light in bringing the 'big bassoon' to the attention of the music
world for many years, having commissioned and premiered more than 50 pieces of
music for the instrument. She has carved out an extraordinary career as a
contrabassoonist - playing recitals, making solo appearances, undertaking
recording projects, presenting master classes, publishing books and orchestral
work with ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra…I particularly
enjoyed the melodic shapes and colour of Joel Bjorling's Suite in A Minor and found the two Hydesville movements quite evocative with their rhythmic
free form…The final piece, Ann Marie Kurrasch's
Chicago Cakewalk was a delightful lightening of mood without cheapening the
contra and I thorougly enjoyed the variation in style
and the charming character with which it was infused.” Australian Double
Reed Society “Reeding Matter Journal”, July 2022, (Josie Hawkes)
CD980 Sound
samples (mp3 files) Click
on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown.
(to return
to this page after listening to samples, please use your browser back button)
Aragon Little Suite for Big Bassoon: Mvt.1
Scherzo Mvt. 2 Berceuse
Mvt. 3 Folk Dance
Mvt. 4 Aria Mvt. 5 Finale
Vosk: The
Giant Stirred Palider: L’Italiano Molto Breve Bjorling Suite in A Minor: Mvt. 1 Hydesville 1848/Mr. Splitfoot Mvt. 2 Hydesville 1848/Sisters
Margaretta & Catherine Mvt. 3 Classical Funk Vosk: Contra
Blue Aragon Nebulae (Sonata for Contrabassoon): Mvt. 1 Fantasia: Butterfly Nebula Mvt. 2 Chaconne: Red Square Nebula Mvt. 3 Toccata: Flame Nebula Kurrasch: Chicago
Cakewalk
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