About this release
A fascinating journey through the repertoire of the bassoon starts with Vivaldi's supreme example of a
Baroque concerto, played by Bram van Sambeek on a wooden bassoon that represents the type of instrument Vivaldi's soloist would have played. For the next work, van Sambeek chooses not the famous examples by Mozart, Hummel or Weber, but a charming concerto by the little known, but highly eccentric French composer Édouard Du Puy (1770--1822). Du Puy knew Berwald and Crusell when they were all playing in the Swedish Court Orchestra. He was fired from his job there for singing a revolutionary song in praise of Napoleon -- not something you did for career-advancement in Sweden in the late 18th century! He rode his horse into church in imitation of Voltaire, and his high point was probably to secure a post in Copenhagen, only to be found in bed with the Crown Princess Charlotta Frederika. They were both banished from the kingdom. His concerto is a highly virtuosic work. Sadly, he left it unfinished (possibly due to his 'after work' activities), and the finale was supplied by the virtuoso oboist Karl Braun. Villa-Lobos's Round Dance of Seven Notes is based on the Ciranda, a Brazilian children's dance. The disc concludes with a work by Kees Olthuis, written for van Sambeek's teacher, Gustavo Nunez, principal bassoonist of the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Further information
- New recording made in 2009
- Booklet note by the artist
- Bram van Sambeek is principal bassoonist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, a role he has also had
with the London Symphony Orchestra.
- 'Gorgeous bassoon solo in Ravel's Alborada del gracioso.' The Guardian in a review of a concert by
the Rotterdam Philharmonic
- Bram van Sambeek has won the Dutch Music Award 2009