The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, site of the 1980 IDRS conference announces a special exhibition entitled The Proud Bassoon -- the development of the bassoon, in the context of other musical instruments, over three centuries. The exhibit will be in the Reid Concert Hall, off Bristo Square from August 17 to 31, 1983, with hours from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily (except Sundays). There will be no charge for admission to the exhibition, and a catalogue and tape cassettes of music played on some of the exhibits will be on sale. In addition a special recital by William Waterhouse will take place on August 21 at 11:00 a.m. in which he will play over a dozen instruments from the exhibition.
The exhibition is intended to increase public awareness of the long and distinguished history of the bassoon: now known mainly as an orchestral instrument, but in the past also an important ingredient of the military band, the church band and light music. The repertoire of the bassoon as a solo instrument will be explored in the associated concert, in which music by Bertoli, Galliard, Mozart, Massenet and Dutilleux will be played on period instruments, accompanied by harpsichord and pianoforte.
Further information may be obtained from: Arnold Myers, Exhibition Organizer Reid School of Music Edinburgh University Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH 8 9AG Telephone (home) 031-441 3133
From the IDRS Librarian, James Prodan, comes the following acknowledgment:
The IDRS Library sincerely thanks the following individuals and businesses for their contribution of materials at and since the 1982 convention:
Frances Estes
McGinnis and Marx Music Publishers
Karl Miller
Mitch Miller
Valery Popov
Sol Schoenbach
Christopher Weait
Joseph Wood Music Co.
In the fall Double Reed I mentioned some studies by B. Gorecki that Polish bassoonist, Jerzy Leminska, had recommended to me. From George Longazo comes word that he obtained a copy of 40 Virtuoso Etudes by B. Gorecki
from:
Wladyslaw and Ted Przblvla
15858 Annellen
Hacienda Heights, CA 99175
Apparently they deal in music from Eastern bloc countries.
Congratulations to California bassoonist, Don Christlieb, who was selected as an honoree for 1983 by the National Association of Composers/USA for his contribution to contemporary music. In a special luncheon at USC in Los Angeles on March 5, 1983, Don received his honorary nomination by NACUSA.
Two bassoonists have been very active in master classes recently. Sol Schoenbach has given master classes at the University of Cincinnati College -- Conservatory of Music and at the University of Akron. Otto Eifert, enjoying his one year sabbatical from his position as principal bassoonist of the Cincinnati Symphony, has worked with students at Michigan State, Wisconsin, Montana State, and Idaho, Washington State. The later appearance at my and John Reid's (WSU) schools involved a master class and a massed bassoon concert entitled: Music Below C Level, and included such favorites as Copland's Fanfare for the Common Bassoon; three Sousa marches: El Capitan, Manhattan Beach, and Stars and Stripes Forever (with three contras playing the piccolo solo!), and a "tear-rendering" version of Bach's Air on a G Reed It is a tremendous boost to bassoonist in the "hinterlands" when they can work with a bassoonist of Otto Eifert's calibre. Besides all these busy activities, Otto also found time to commute to Boston as a guest faculty member at Boston University for 1982-83.
From Billings, Montana, bassoonist Forest Cornwell, comes word of the 2nd Annual Double Reed Symposium in Billings on Monday and Tuesday, August 22 and 23, 1983. Featured clinician-artists this year will be Leonard Sharrow, distinguished principal bassoonist of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Roger McDonald, professor of oboe at the University of Montana. Alan Fox from the Fox Products Company will also be there to present a clinic on oboe and bassoon making, including the achievement of advanced levels of resonance, intonation, and tone color. The 2-day symposium will feature performances by the great clinicians and master classes with students as well as opportunity for informal discussion between both the clinicians and students. The registration fee of $45 includes admission to recitals, master classes and two noon luncheons. Interested persons may contact Forest Cornwell, 929 Cook Avenue, Billings, MT 59102 (406-259-9556) for further information.
From oboist/musicologist and IDRS member, S. Finkelman, comes news of an aria about the bassoon:
"Not long ago, I discovered an aria by the Regensburg court composer, Theodor von Schacht, which might well be of interest. It is entitled Fagotto, caro fagotto bello! It is scored for soprano and strings (no bassoon), and written c. 1774 or slightly earlier. The MS is in the Regensburg Thurn und Taxische Hofbibliothek. (I do not have a copy and have never seen it, but have heard pieces by von Schacht, and they are always charming, if nothing else.)
"The aria in question was used as an interpolation in Regensburg performances between 1774 and 1778 of L'Amore Senza Malizia of Bernardo Ottani (orig. perf. Venice, 1767). It is contained in the first scene of act 2 of Ottani's score. Von Schacht was the director of the Italian opera theatre at the Regensburg court, and wrote several numbers to be added to the Ottani work for its Regensburg performances.
"Perhaps the aria in question would be an appropriate item for performance at a future IDRS convention? In any case, I thought you might be amused to hear of it."