The Instrumentalist - April, 1976 issue. Complete with a fine bassoon photo on its cover, the latest issue of this U.S.A. music magazine features no less than nine articles about the bassoon, very well prepared by Otto Eifert, principal bassoonist of the Cincinnati Symphony. Authors are Richard M. Polonchak, Robert K. Thompson, Otto Eifert, Bernard H. Garfield, Howard Kornblum, Gerald Corey, and Sol Schoenbach. Additionally, there is a discography of bassoon solos and a listing of bassoonists in American Symphony Orchestras. (Write to The Instrumentalist Co., 1418 Lake Street, Evanston, Illinois 60204. This single issue (April, 1976) is $1.00 each. A year's subscription to the magazine is $9 for eleven issues [$1 additional for Canadian and foreign subscribers] .)
The Art of Wind Playing - by bassoonist/conductor Arthur Weisberg. (Schirmer Books. New York. 1975. $8.95. 145 pps.) A very interesting and technically-detailed approach to wind instrument performance . . although suggested as an "essential book for all players of wind instruments," my impression is that the bassoon is the main instrument in focus. The editor would appreciate a review of this book for future publication.
Jurriaan Andriessen - Concertino for Bassoon, accompanied by a double woodwind quintet. Richard Lottridge, of The University of Wisconsin, writes: "This work is pretty good - about 12 minutes in length. Check the solo part against the score; there are some mistakes." (Donemus. Netherlands)
Nelson Keyes - Bassooneries 4 Bassoon Duets. These are moderately difficult and rhythmically very interesting duets. Suitable for recital performance, they are excellent music and vary in mood from expressive to swinging. A real find! (Western International Music, Inc. 2859 Holt Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90034. Order No. BMP 71. Price is $3.50)
Antoine Tisné - Solstices for Bassoon and string orchestra (piano reduction). An avante-garde solo which has been recorded on tape by Maurice Allard to whom the work is also dedicated. Although not a great work, both the solo writing and the string accompaniment are fascinating from beginning to end. Possible on the German bassoon, but there are many ultra high notes, to be attacked at all dynamic levels without preparation. (Gerard Billaudot. Paris.)
Christopher Weait - Variations for Solo Bassoon (Harmuse. P.O. Box 670, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. $2.00) See also, Recordings this issue.