Par SAINT-SAENS CAMILLE. Camille Saint-Saëns composed this Romance, Op. 51, in 1877, originally in the key of D major for cello and piano. The form of the piece is relatively simple, opening with a lyrical melody over a repetitive and somewhat rhythmic accompaniment. The middle section modulates to the key of the flattened 6th scale degree (B-flat major), using this to arrive at the dominant chord, in which there are some pseudo cadenza-like moments. Following this, a return to the opening melody with a slightly modified accompaniment, and subsequently a brief coda. To better accommodate the bass clarinet, the entire piece has been transposed up a half-step from the original version into a morecomfortable key of E-flat major. Additionally, for much of the piece, the solo part has been lowered by an octave, as to make the piece generally more accessible to students. Should there be a desire to hear the piece more in the range of the original version, one could simply play it on a standard B-flat clarinet to achieve this effect. Though only about four minutes in length, this relatively short vignette captures much of the true essence of Saint-Saëns, not only through the harmonic progressions and accompanimental figures used, but also demonstrating his gift of turning a 'simple' melody into something extraordinary. Camille Saint-Saëns composed this Romance, Op. 51, in 1877, originally in the key of D major for cello and piano. The form of the piece is relatively simple, opening with a lyrical melody over a repetitive and somewhat rhythmic accompaniment. The middle section modulates to the key of the flattened 6th scale degree (B-flat major), using this to arrive at the dominant chord, in which there are some pseudo cadenza-like moments. Following this, a return to the opening melody with a slightly modified accompaniment, and subsequently a brief coda. To better accommodate the bass clarinet, the entire piece has been transposed up a half-step from the original version into a morecomfortable key of E-flat major. Additionally, for much of the piece, the solo part has been lowered by an octave, as to make the piece generally more accessible to students. Should there be a desire to hear the piece more in the range of the original version, one could simply play it on a standard B-flat clarinet to achieve this effect. Though only about four minutes in length, this relatively short vignette captures much of the true essence of Saint-Saëns, not only through the harmonic progressions and accompanimental figures used, but also demonstrating his gift of turning a 'simple' melody into something extraordinary./ Répertoire / Clarinette Basse et Piano

Par DAVID FERDINAND. Although Ferdinand David is mostly known as a composer for a couple of his instrumental works, namely a Concertino for Trombone, and this Concertino, Op. 12 for bassoon, perhaps he should be most well-known as the violinist who premiered the Violin Concerto of Felix Mendelssohn in 1845. He was appointed as concertmaster of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig when Mendelssohn, a childhood friend, became the principal conductor in 1835. This Concertino for bassoon also exists in a version for viola, and now subsequently this edition for bass clarinet. It is a fun solo in two parts, first an aria-like melody, followed by a technical 'Presto agitato.' The key has been kept the same asthe original version, and although it is preferred to perform with an extended range instrument, indications are made for adapting it to a standard range bass clarinet. Although Ferdinand David is mostly known as a composer for a couple of his instrumental works, namely a Concertino for Trombone, and this Concertino, Op. 12 for bassoon, perhaps he should be most well-known as the violinist who premiered the Violin Concerto of Felix Mendelssohn in 1845. He was appointed as concertmaster of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig when Mendelssohn, a childhood friend, became the principal conductor in 1835. This Concertino for bassoon also exists in a version for viola, and now subsequently this edition for bass clarinet. It is a fun solo in two parts, first an aria-like melody, followed by a technical 'Presto agitato.' The key has been kept the same asthe original version, and although it is preferred to perform with an extended range instrument, indications are made for adapting it to a standard range bass clarinet./ Répertoire / Clarinette Basse et Piano

Par BOURDEAU EUGENE. Eugene Bourdeau came from a family of bassoonists and eventually became the professor of bassoon at the Paris Conservatory from 1891 to 1922. Though not well-known as a composer, he composed three solos for bassoon, consisting of a a variety of styles. The Deuxieme (Second) Solo, composed for the 1907 concours of the Paris Conservatory, is in three sections: a stately introduction, a slow middle section, and a brisk allegretto. Originally in the key of B minor/D major, the entire piece has been transposed up one half-step, to better accommodate the range of the bass clarinet, as well as to make it a more comfortable key.Eugene Bourdeau came from a family of bassoonists and eventually became the professor of bassoon at the Paris Conservatory from 1891 to 1922. Though not well-known as a composer, he composed three solos for bassoon, consisting of a a variety of styles. The Deuxieme (Second) Solo, composed for the 1907 concours of the Paris Conservatory, is in three sections: a stately introduction, a slow middle section, and a brisk allegretto. Originally in the key of B minor/D major, the entire piece has been transposed up one half-step, to better accommodate the range of the bass clarinet, as well as to make it a more comfortable key./ Répertoire / Clarinette Basse et Piano

Par WEISSENBORN JULIUS. German bassoonist and pedagogue Julius Weissenborn is known primarily as an author and composer of method and etude books familiar to all bassoonists. However, he also composed a number of solo works, including this Capriccio, Op. 14. Not only is the piece educational to the player, but it is also quite entertaining to the audience. Similar to the Premier Solo of Eugene Bourdeau, the Capriccio is often regarded as somewhat of a secondary solo, good for students before they move on to the 'real' repertoire. However, it is a well thought-out and fun piece, and is perfectly suited for the bass clarinet. In this edition, the piano part has been transposed down a whole-step (toB-flat major), to better accommodate the bass clarinet. In addition, there are two solo parts included, one for extended range bass clarinet (to low C), and for standard range bass clarinet (to low E). German bassoonist and pedagogue Julius Weissenborn is known primarily as an author and composer of method and etude books familiar to all bassoonists. However, he also composed a number of solo works, including this Capriccio, Op. 14. Not only is the piece educational to the player, but it is also quite entertaining to the audience. Similar to the Premier Solo of Eugene Bourdeau, the Capriccio is often regarded as somewhat of a secondary solo, good for students before they move on to the 'real' repertoire. However, it is a well thought-out and fun piece, and is perfectly suited for the bass clarinet. In this edition, the piano part has been transposed down a whole-step (toB-flat major), to better accommodate the bass clarinet. In addition, there are two solo parts included, one for extended range bass clarinet (to low C), and for standard range bass clarinet (to low E)./ Répertoire / Clarinette Basse et Piano