Franz Berwald was the leading Swedish composer of the 19th century. He was not particularly interested in forging a Swedish nationalist style, and wrote "Art may be coupled only with a cheerful frame of mind. The weak-willed should have nothing to do with it. Even if interesting for a moment, in the end every sighing artist will bore listeners to death." That motto certainly applies to the Concertpiece, a work overflowing with melody and good humor. It opens with an audacious use of the extended range of the bassoon. Berwald's warm melodies and fresh harmonic vocabulary lead to a central section which is itself a theme and variations, again pushing the bassoon to its virtuosic limit. The work ends with a joyous recapitulation of the opening material. Peter Kolkay
Classical Music | Music for Bassoon
Franz Berwald
Concertpiece, Op. 2 Play
Recorded on 09/07/2004, uploaded on 01/21/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Concertpiece, Op. 2 Franz Berwald
Franz Berwald was the leading Swedish composer of the 19th century. He was not particularly interested in forging a Swedish nationalist style, and wrote "Art may be coupled only with a cheerful frame of mind. The weak-willed should have nothing to do with it. Even if interesting for a moment, in the end every sighing artist will bore listeners to death." That motto certainly applies to the Concertpiece, a work overflowing with melody and good humor. It opens with an audacious use of the extended range of the bassoon. Berwald's warm melodies and fresh harmonic vocabulary lead to a central section which is itself a theme and variations, again pushing the bassoon to its virtuosic limit. The work ends with a joyous recapitulation of the opening material. Peter Kolkay
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonate, Op. 41
Romance, Op. 62
Solo de concert for bassoon and Piano, Op. 35
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