Peter Whitehead
Gail Novak - piano
Marquise DeMaree - oboe

Senior Bassoon Recital
Organ Hall I 10 April 2016 I 7:30pm
Charles Rene

Solo de Concert (1901)

( 1863-1935)

Charles Rene was a French composer who studied at the Paris Conservatoire. He won the
Deuxieme Prix de Rome in 1884, losing the the first prize scholarship to Debussy 1 • Rene is best
known for his many piano pieces. This work for solo bassoon and piano is one of two pieces
he wrote for solo instruments, the other one being a violin sonatai. Used as the 1901 contest
piece for the Paris Conservatoire, this piece is composed in a romantic;:: style with echoes of
previous Conservatoire compositions. The introduction, common in Conservatoire works, is
not strict with the rhythm, allowing for some rubato and flexibility with tempo. The second
section of this work is in D-flat major. a challenging key signature for bassoon. Notable in this
piece is its wealth of arpegiatted phrases, as well as elongated triplet rhythm in the second
half.
1Fletcher,

K.K. ( 1988). The Paris Conservatoire and the Contest Solos for Bassoon. Indiana University Press. Bloomington.

Alyssa Morris

Mathematics, Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (2012)
1. Geometry
II. Trigonometry
Ill. Integral Calculus

( 1984-)

This sonata is divided into three movements. each using musical ideas to illustrate
mathematical concepts. In Geometry, the first musical theme in 3/4 time is meant to
represent triangles, while the second theme in 4/4 time is representative of squares and
rectangles2. This is most evident in the opening three notes of the movement, which form a
physically triangular pattern in the musical score. The triangle inspired theme is angular, with
large intervals, while the square inspired theme is more melodic and stepwise. The merging
of the two themes in the development section of this movement seeks to depict more
complex shapes and can be heard in the juxtaposition between large intervals and
melodic phrases harmonically, and in the mixture between triple and duple meter
rhythmically.
In Trigonometry, Morris attempts to depict a visual representation of a sine wave 2. This is
especially evident in the opening theme. As the movement continues, the bassoon
becomes more raucous, while the piano continues to contrast this with flowing arpeggios.
The 16th notes in the bassoon ·part are an elaboration on the opening theme. The bassoon
eventually comes back to mimic the opening theme at the end of the movement.

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The third movement, Integral Calculus, is perhaps the most difficult of the three movements
(just as integral calculus is perhaps the most difficult mathematical concepts of the three
depicted). The bassoon part in this movement draws on the idea of mathematical limits by
utilizing the extreme tonal range of the bassoon2. While in rondo form, ABACA, you will hear
quotations of popular children's melodies in the B theme (ie. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and
ABCs). The movement ends with a restatement of the A theme after a bassoon cadenza.
2Morris, A. (2012). Mathematics, Sonata for Bassoon and Piano. TrevCo.

Philippe Hersant

Niggun (1995)

(1948-)

Philippe Hersant is a French composer, born in Italy, who studied under Andre Jolivet at the
Paris Conservatoire3. His piece Niggun is a solo bassoon work that explores the use of
multiphonics in its compositional style. Typical of Hersant's compositions, the opening
statement recurs and is developed throughout the piece and the D-major multiphonic is
used as a recurring pedal tone throughout the piece3. These compositional devices are
used to depict the elements of a Jewish chant used in worship, from which this piece
derives its name. The niggun style of chanting was cultivated by, and remains a central part
of Hasidic Judaism4. A niggun is often improvisational and contains many repeated
rhythmic phrases, depicting either lament or joy4. Due to the religious nature of this piece,
the composition is modal, switching from major and minor centers to depict a more somber
central idea.
aMyriam Soumagnac. (2016). Hersant, Philippe. Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press.
•"Niggun." (2016). Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press.

Francis Poulenc

Trio pour piano, hautbois et basson (1924)
I. Presto
II. Andante
Ill. Rondo

( 1899-1963)

Francis Poulenc is a French composer and pianist, born in to a bourgeois family, conscripted
into the French military in WWI, and a fiercely independent iconoclasts. Unlike many other
well-known French composers, Poulenc did not receive the traditional musical education
and was never educated at the Paris Conservatoire. This trio composition is from Poulenc's
first of three periods of compositional developments. It is a jovial piece, rife with energetic
dissonance and dramatic flourishes. Composed during the time .Poulenc was also
composing for the Ballets Russes, this work follows the style of 18th-century divertissement,
but does not strictly adhere to all the harmonic rules (ie. the dissonances). While the outer
movements are the most energetic, with the Rondo being the more upbeat of the two, the
middle movement is reserved, thus following traditional macro-compositional style.
schimenes, M. & Nichols, R. (2016). Poulenc, Francis. Grove Music Online. Oxford M.usic Online. Oxford University Press.

*This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the B.Mus. in Orchestral
Performance (Bassoon). Peter Whitehead is a student of Dr. Albie Micklich*

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