(In the Summer of 1980 I had the good fortune of teaching the Summer Session at the Indiana University School of Music as a replacement for Sidney Rosenberg, and in the process I met and worked with a new generation of fine emerging young bassoonists. I'd like to update you on the recent professional activities and accomplishments of some of these artists. The only reason the list isn't longer is that the rest of them haven't finished their degree work at IU yet! Ed.)
Mitchel Byler graduated with a MM from IU in 1980 and since then has been solo bassoonist with the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra, Johannesburg, South Africa, where he does both concert and studio performances.
Rodney Achmann graduated from IU in 1981 with an MM and is now principal bassoon with the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra and very active in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, music circles.
Haffsteinn Gumundssen had graduated from IU in the 70's studying under Leonard Sharrow. After the 1980 summer refresher session at IU, Haffsteinn returned to his regular job as bassoonist with the Reykjavik, Iceland, Symphony. (In a recent letter he tells of the orchestra's first tour to Germany and Austria including a side trip to the Heckel factory where he ordered a new bassoon!) Besides his symphony work he recently recorded a bassoon recital for Icelandic radio that included the Fasch Sonata and the Poulenc Trio, the Vivaldi Bassoon Concerto #17 in C with the orchestra. In the Spring he will perform as bassoon soloist with the orchestra in the Richard Strauss Duo Concertino for Clarinet, Bassoon, and Orchestra.
Janelle Oberbillig graduated from IU in 1981 with a BM degree and is currently principal bassoonist in the Boise (Idaho) Philharmonic and active as a bassoon teacher in the area.
The New Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1980 Edited by Stanley Sadie) is out, and the article on the bassoon is a scholarly jewel from the pen of William Waterhouse. I urge all bassoonists to read it because of some very interesting and startling revelations about such subjects as the history of reed making and the "progress" that modern instruments such as the machine cane gouger have afforded to the art of reed making. It should be recommended reading to all bassoon enthusiasts.
In a recent correspondence with Cecil James, the renowned English bassoonist, (who at one time or another was principal bassoonist with virtually every important orchestra in London!) I learned that he is still active both as a performer and teacher, despite his retirement. (He was recently named Visiting Professor of Woodwind Ensemble at London University!) According to him there is only one professional player in England performing on the Buffet Bassoon. William Greenlees, who is third and contrabassoonist with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. (Apparently Mr. Greenlees switched to the Buffet after many years of playing on the German system!) Mr. James is also an excellent source for anyone interested in purchasing a used Buffet at very reasonable prices. At the time of this correspondence, 1-20-82, he knew of three excellent Buffets for sale for about 950 pounds (ca. $1,795.00), 600 pounds (ca. $1,134.00) and 450 pounds (ca. $850). Considering that a new Buffet is currently priced at about 3000 pounds ($5,700.00) these are pretty reasonable prices! Interested parties can contact Cecil James directly: 5 Mount Ave. London W.5, England.
During my sabbatical study leave in London in 1977, I was "converted" to the bassoon peg for supporting the instrument--a system I now use in playing both seated and standing. Moreover, l recently had my Buffet fitted with a bassoon peg exactly the same as on my Heckel. In both cases the work was done by Dominec Wier, contrabassoonist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and a bassoon repairman and technician par excellence. While residing in London I got to know Dominec well and to benefit from his expertise on bassoon maintenance and repair. He rebent my crook to accommodate the new angle of the peg, corkpadded my wing joint and fitted a Heckel holding--together between my wing and long joints among other things. Moreover he has designed and built excellent gouging and profiling machines that are very popular in England and gaining in popularity here in the U.S. Finally, his bassoon cane is excellent as well! I can recommend his work in all of the above areas most highly. His work is high calibre and his prices are very reasonable. Dominec Wier, Flat 1 B Myddleton, Square, London, E.C.1., England.
A Master Class for Bassoonists with Sol Schoenbach was planned for the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Canada for March 15, from 7:00-9:30 p.m. and March 16, from 10:00-12:30 and 2:00-4:30. Beside the 5 participant limit the classes will admit as many auditors as are interested for a minimal fee.
The bassoon world was saddened by the report of the death of Will Jansen at the age of 75 in Nieuw-Loosdrecht, Holland on September 5, 1981. Jansen was a recognized world authority on the bassoon and author of the monumental work, The Bassoon, its History, Construction, Makers, Players, and Music, which is still being published in periodical folios by the Fritz Knuf Publishing Company in the Netherlands. His private instrumental music library and bassoon memorabilia collections are probably the most complete and comprehensive in the entire world. We will dearly miss his expertise and enthusiasm for the bassoon, the instrument he loved and served so faithfully until the end of his life.