SKU: ST.C184

ISBN 9790570811847.

March of the Day
The subtitle says it all, I think. The piece has three main ideas each in the contrasting keys of Bb, Eb and F majors. Can you find a different character for each one? The danger for bassoonists in this sort of piece is that everything can sound accented, so be careful to follow the articulation marks as closely as you can.

Rondolettinetto
This is all about building phrases through repetition. It relies largely, therefore, on control of the sound. Try to achieve a really obvious contrast of character between the opening phrases and the less refined con spirito episode. This might be played just a touch faster than the opening and closing sections, if you wish. There is a hint of gentle parody in this piece if you can find a way of expressing that too.

Sand-dance Kid
This piece stretches the compass and range of expression even further. There are very obvious contrasts of staccato and legato and the phrase lengths of the middle section are far from regular. Try to scale down the dynamics at the end so that you end as softly as you can play.
Three Pieces for Bassoon and Piano

Grade 4
Former Spartan Press Cat. No.: SP1164.

SKU: ST.C130

ISBN 9790570811304.

As I sit myself down to write this brief foreword, I ask myself can there be music more stirring than these old Cornish folk melodies? Though not Cornish myself (I confess to being born a little further up the road, in Bristol), I feel I have spent sufficient time in these 'ere parts to resonate with the sturdy brass band tradition that continues to permeate this incomparably beautiful, rugged county. One can almost detect a French 'accent' when listening to the piano music of Debussy, and likewise, speaking as a lapsed brass player, there is undoubtedly something of the Cornish twang about Trelawny when played on a cornet or euphonium. Then again, one gets a different, yet entirely convincing effect upon hearing these melodies rendered on woodwind instruments; hence, with a little gamesmanship on my part, I am pleased to see my collection of these fifteen delectable ditties come to fruition in the form of arrangements for treble clef brass instruments (in B flat and E flat), trombone and tuba (bass clef), horn in F, flute, clarinet and bassoon. While many will find themselves humming the likes of Going up Camborne Hill, Lamorna or The Helston Furry Dance even before they have turned to the first page - for these are indelibly intertwined with Cornish culture – I wonder if I might draw your attention to The Cornish Squire, The Pool of Pilate and Cold Blows the Wind Today Sweetheart, which are quite simply sublime melodies, perhaps needing that extra bit of help in bringing them to mind nowadays. In the best tradition of musical hand-me-downs, Cornish folk music works equally ideally sung and played, and only by doing so on a regular basis can such traditions hope to continue forward with vigour and authority. A legitimate way of achieving this is to revitalise the harmonic scheme of these ancient tunes and bring them up to date for a modern audience; after all, it was such an approach that fuelled the imagination of Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams in decades past, while skilfully paying homage to the underlying charm and, for want of a better word, simplicity, of the original music. But this is only a start – for without an energetic response from younger generations, Cornish folk music is destined to wither on the vine in much the same way as is happening with the Cornish dialect. So, put your instrument to your lips and proceed, not with caution, but with enthusiasm and a smile, for your great grandparents (and perhaps even their grandparents) would surely raise a glass if they could hear you doing your bit to ensure the survival of this splendid heritage.
Timeless Cornish melodies, cooked up for hungry clarinet players
Grades 1–4
Former Spartan Press Cat. No.: SP1219.

SKU: ST.C181

ISBN 9790570811816.

Polka-dots
There are three contrasting types of expression for the bassoonist here. The opening phrase is staccato which is followed (at bar 11) by a sustained counter melody. Finally (at bar 19) both these effects are combined in a second melody which needs very clear dynamic playing.

Monkey Puzzle
Sustaining the sound while rearticulating the notes is important in this piece. In other words, the opening should be played almost slurred. Be aware of the changing harmonies underneath the held notes in the bassoon part.

Serious Song
Long but separate notes contrast with real legato. The main theme is marked tenuto, so full value for each note, especially ending notes. Even the quavers aren’t very short at this speed. Try to make the richest sound you can like, for example, a fine Russian baritone.
Three Pieces for Bassoon and Piano

Grade 1
Former Spartan Press Cat. No.: SP1161.

SKU: HL.48181243

UPC: 888680868277. 9.0x12.0x0.06 inches.

“Born in Toulouse, Marcel Bitsch (1921-2011) went on to study at the Paris Conservatoire before becoming a professor of counterpoint at the institution. As an exceptionally versatile composer, Bitsch has composed orchestral works, chamber works and numerous pieces and studies for wind instruments. Concertino is a sublime addition to the Bassoon repertoire. Suited to advanced level bassoonists, Bitsch's Concertino contains a range of exciting musical aspects, including varied articulation, complex rhythms, irregular phrasing, exploited tonality and much variation in dynamics, tempo and performance directions. The diversity of musical elements included in this Marcel Bitsch Concertino for Bassoon and Piano is outstanding, creating a necessary addition to the advanced bassoonist's repertoire.”.

SKU: HL.14010245

ISBN 9780853603986. English.

Vernon Elliott. A Suite for Bassoon and Piano based on themes from the television series. Also includes solo parts for treble clef C and B flat instruments.