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 emphasises 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 both orchestral tuning.