Vivaldi: Bassoon Concerto, RV 497 in A minor

Not only violinists are eternally grateful to Antonio Vivaldi for the sheer abundance of concert works he bequeathed. The instrument he wrote for with the second greatest frequency is the bassoon (!), for which he created about forty concertos. Two of the most celebrated bookend Václav Vonášek’s debut recording and are supplemented by pieces by other 18th-century masters, J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach and G. F. Handel. Vonášek has primarily arranged for the bassoon compositions intended for the flute, as was customary in the Baroque period. They demonstrate the soloist’s exceptional qualities, for which he has garnered a number of accolades – first prizes at the International Double Reed Society competition (Melbourne, 2004) and the Prague Spring international competition (2009), third prize at the ARD Competition in Munich (2008). Václav Vonášek, accompanied by the distinguished young ensemble Barocco sempre giovane, makes the bassoon sing, unleashes a tempest and conjures up the dreamy atmosphere of the night...

The bassoon in the hands of a true master – virtuosic, colourful, enchanting.

In perfecting the newly developing form of the Italian solo concerto, Vivaldi wrote nearly five hundred concertos, of which 39 are for bassoon with strings and continuo.

In these, Vivaldi exploits the full expressive and tonal range of the solo instrument, often making considerable demands on the soloist’s virtuosity to thrilling effect.

Acclaimed as a splendid advocate of these graceful and imaginative works, bassoonist Tamás Benkócs also features on Volumes 1 to 4 (Naxos 8555937, 8555938, 8557556 & 8557829).

A rare foray for Ansermet into the Baroque era. Henri Helaerts and Roger Reversy were principal winds with the Suisse Romande and their solo work appears in many an orchestral work in his recordings. For this collection of Baroque concertos, Helaerts is soloist in two Vivaldi Bassoon Concertos recorded 16 years apart - in 1952 and 1968. Reversy's plangent oboe graces much Ravel and Bach on the Decca recordings and here he is heard in the "popular" Marcello Oboe Concerto in C minor.

Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968), the French organist who joined Ansermet on these relatively rare Handel recordings, also was a distinguished composer. She even composed her own cadenzas for these two concertos. Of course these recordings depart from authenticity in her use of pedals, not to mention a large organ. A reviewer at the time of this recording's release scoffed at her 'Crystal Palace Handel'. There are, nonetheless, several intimate moments in these 1952 readings.

The talented young bassoonist Christan Kunert is already a professor of the instrument.

The Kammerakademie Potsdam is renowned for its polished performances of early music.

This release includes Gordon Jacob’s Concerto.

This CD presents four bassoon concertos, two flute concertos, along with a concerto for flute and bassoon entitled ‘La notte’. For this recording, Arion performs as a chamber ensemble of 9 musicians and features bassoonist Mathieu Lussier and flautist Claire Guimond.

“This recording is a delight: full of energy and Vivaldi at his best. It is truly vivid Vivaldi and I think before you play The Four Seasons yet again you might want to try something new and fresh—and just as worthy.” Kemer Thomson, San Diego Harpsichord Society

These are magnificent performances from bassoonist Frans Robert Berkhout. He was lead bassoonist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Amsterdam Bach Soloists. As a baroque bassoon and dulcian player he joined many authentic ensembles such as the Leonhardt Consort, La Petite Bande and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. La Suave Melodia was formed in 1998 and have since been highly acclaimed in both the concert hall and the recording studio.