Bassoon Essentials

The bassoon is a deeper and more naturally mournful instrument than the oboe or clarinet, and because of its unique character, it is sometimes sidelined to a supporting role in the woodwind section. The composers in this selection—including Mozart, Vivaldi, Elgar, and John Williams—have taken steps to rectify this oversight, making use of that doleful tone to fully draw out the resonant melancholy in their pastoral melodies, or bring their happiest flights of whimsy back down to earth with a warning note of doubt.