Leo Van de Moortel - Belgian National Orchestra Principal Bassoonist, died suddenly at a concert in Brussels, April 6, 1972. Age. 52. I had met Mr. Van de Moortel and his coprincipal, Andre' Jacques a few weeks before in Washington, D.C. after a beautiful performance of "le Sacre du Printemps". He was an especially fine bassoonist and will be sorely missed. An article on his interesting career will appear in Vol. III, No. 1.
Werner Mauruschat - Cologne, Germany Principal Bassoonist, died at age 59 on June 21, 1971. "a severe blow to European music life": Will Jansen.
Wenzel Schreiber - founder of the Schreiber Bassoon firm, passed away at age 73 in Nauheim, Germany. April 5, 1972. A fine craftsman and innovator in woodwind construction. His sons Hugo Schreiber and Emst Schreiber now carry on Schreiber's work.
Academy Trio of Philadelphia - Principal Bassoonist, Bernard Garfield and Principal Clarinetist, Anthony Gigliotti of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Mrs. Amelia Gigliotti, piano, have formed a new ensemble dedicated to definitive performance of works for this instrumentation and encouragement of composers to write for clarinet, bassoon and piano.
First commissioned work: Alec Wilder, "Suite"' given Premiere performance at Washington's Library of Congress, September 10,1971.
The "Rite of Spring" - a very helpful article by Bernard Garfield, with advice on reed selection (and storage for future performances), preparation for the opening solo passage and reflective comments on conductors and their treatment of solo orchestral passages. (Write to Woodwind World Magazine, Vol. 10, No. 5, November, 1971. $.60, $2.50 for five issues. Oneonta, New York 13820).
Orchestral retirements - two former students of J. Walter Guetter, William Santucci and Frank Ruggieri have recently retired from Principal Bassoon, Minnesota Orchestra and Second Bassoon, the New York Philharmonic, after years of continually beautiful service to music and the bassoon. Both artists are my good friends, and I wish them many years of pleasure and happiness in their new life style. Mr. Ruggieri was principal bassoon in both the National Symphony of Washington, D.C. and the Cleveland Orchestra before the start of his 23-year career with the New York Philharmonic. William Santucci performed Weber's Concerto in F with the Minnesota Orchestra last season, another "top form" farewell. Congratulations.
Fox visit to Europe - Alan Fox is traveling to several European centers this summer to meet bassoonists and show his bassoon products. From June 20 to July 12 he will visit London, Vienna, Zagreb, Salzburg, Munich, Lucerne, Basel, Zurich, Hamburg, Kiel, and Copenhagen.
Stolen Instrument - Heckel No. 11233, belonging to Ben Kamins, 953 Schumacher Drive, Los Angeles, Cal. 90048.
Editorial Activity - since April, 1971, I have adopted the Buffet/Crampon bassoon for use (in addition to my Heckel) in all music by French composers, early music and some other composers: in orchestra, chamber music and solo performance. I find the addition both challenging and exhilarating. In addition to adding the singing French tone to my available pallette of color, I am pleased to report that work on the Buffet has definitely allowed me to increase my sonority and flexibility when playing the Heckel. After four weeks of work this summer with Maurice Allard in Paris I will present more details in the newsletter. So far this season, I have performed the "Firebird" Suite of Stravinsky, Ravel's "Alborada del Gracioso", Francaix's "Divertissement" for bassoon and string quintet and "le Sacre du Printemps" of Stravinsky, all with the Buffet and with increasing pleasure! My best regards to all my readers in 24 countries now; Volume III will feature many new ideas and continuing events about the bassoon. I hope you will forgive the slight increase in cost, per volume. Thank you for the many letters of encouragement and information, which keeps our publication alive