First Concerto for Contrabassoon

Vitals

First Concerto for Contrabassoon and Chamber Orchestra

Duration: 19 minutes (8 + 4 + 7)

Instrumentation: Chamber Orchestra

• Contrabassoon soloist
• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet in Bb
• Horn in F
• Trumpet in Bb
• Timpani
• Strings

Piano Reduction Coming Soon!

Listen

• World Premiere: Lesley Frey, Soloist
  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio Misterioso, Molto Rubato
  3. As Fast as the Soloist Cares to Take It

Performances

• World Premiere:Lesley Frey, Senior Bassoon Recital, November 22, 2008 1PM; DRH, Cole Conservatory, CSULB

Program Notes

Commissioned by Lesley Frey, the Concerto for Contrabassoon is the first concerto written by Alex Sramek, who considers the instrument superior in many regards and finds it very odd indeed that this fine beast is oft neglected in solo repertoire. This concerto explores the versatile range of the contrabassoon, from low to very low to so imaginably low that it causes one's eyeballs to vibrate. The first movement is classical in style and form, and the solo part draws heavily from typical early contrabassoon writing. Second comes the obligatory slow movement, featuring quite a few non-obligatory sounds. The finale is a driving fanfare-turned-dance, with a few guest appearances from earlier movements and elsewhere. A rhythm of significance to the composer makes appearances in all movements, serving as a unifying theme.