W.A. Mozart: Bassoon Concerto in B flat major for double bass & piano (arr. Heyes)

About the Composition

Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto in B flat transcribes beautifully for double bass and remains almost exclusively in bass clef throughout. The three contrasting movements offer effective musical and technical challenges for the intermediate bassist, with opportunities for the soloist to create their own unique cadenzas.

The first movement (Allegro) is the longest of the three and exploits the full range of the double bass followed by a more expansive and lyrical slow movement (Andante ma adagio) which emphasizes the cantabile and singing qualities of the instrument. The finale (Rondo: Tempo di menuetto), the shortest of the three movements, is lively and ebullient and full of great character and classical spirit.

Mozart's Bassoon Concerto in B flat major K.191 was completed in Salzburg on 4 June 1774, when the composer was only 18 years old. He is believed to have composed several other concertos for bassoon but this is the only one to have survived. It is contemporary with his first Piano Concerto and first Violin Concerto, composed in the mid-1770s, and is the first of his woodwind concertos and Mozart had already composed 30 symphonies, 12 string quartets and several operas by this time.

This new edition is only available for orchestral tuning.

About the Editor

David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman.

David's collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 750 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra.

David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 32 countries across five continents and is proud to be a D'Addario Performing Artist.