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Bassoon Concerto Classics / Zukerman, Faerber


Release Date: 03/04/2008 
Label:  Musical Concepts   Catalog #: 100   Spars Code: n/a 
Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Carl Stamitz,  Carl Maria von Weber
Performer:  George Zukerman
Conductor:  Jörg Faerber
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 7 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

MOZART Bassoon Concerto in B?. STAMITZ Bassoon Concerto in F. WEBER Bassoon Concerto in F. Andante and Hungarian Rondo, op. 35 • George Zukerman (bn); Jörg Faerber, cond; Württemberg CO • MUSICAL CONCEPTS 100 (67:44)

I remember when this release for rather basic bassoon repertoire first hit the Read more streets on vinyl in the mid 1970s. I quickly grabbed a copy and upon returning home, immediately put it on my old AR turntable and sat back. The performances were impressive, far more so than the vinyl pressing, which was quite noisy. Even though it’s been three decades and other recordings have appeared on the scene, this remains an excellent release on musical points.

Canadian bassoonist George Zukerman is an artiste , a man whose agile command of this difficult instrument is apparent at his first entry in the Mozart concerto. His technique dazzles and his wonderfully sweet and lyrical tone is a perfect match for the cantabile style of the slow movements. Jörg Faerber and the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra have been around for years, and even though the period-instrument movement has encroached upon much of their turf, the 30-year-old-plus playing isn’t dated and can stand comparison with the best now available.

While this is decidedly a throwback to a bygone era, there is nothing passé about the musicianship, either from the soloist or the conductor. The sound, however, is decidedly dated, and somewhat distant for my taste, but I will still revisit this release again and again.

FANFARE: Michael Carter Read less

Works on This Recording

1.
Concerto for Bassoon in B flat major, K 191 (186e) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:  George Zukerman (Bassoon)
Conductor:  Jörg Faerber
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra
Period: Classical 
Written: 1774; Salzburg, Austria 
 Date of Recording: 05/1974 
Venue:  Leiderkranzhalle, Stuttgart 
Length: 21 Minutes 42 Secs. 
2.
Concerto for Bassoon in F major by Carl Stamitz
Performer:  George Zukerman (Bassoon)
Conductor:  Jörg Faerber
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra
Period: Classical 
Written: Austria 
 Date of Recording: 05/1974 
Venue:  Leiderkranzhalle, Stuttgart 
Length: 17 Minutes 37 Secs. 
3.
Concerto for Bassoon in F major, J 127/Op. 75 by Carl Maria von Weber
Performer:  George Zukerman (Bassoon)
Conductor:  Jörg Faerber
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1811/1822; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 05/1974 
Venue:  Leiderkranzhalle, Stuttgart 
Length: 18 Minutes 10 Secs. 
4.
Andante and Rondo Ungarese for Bassoon and Orchestra in C minor, J 158/Op. 35 by Carl Maria von Weber
Performer:  George Zukerman (Bassoon)
Conductor:  Jörg Faerber
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1809/1813; Germany 
 Date of Recording: 05/1974 
Venue:  Leiderkranzhalle, Stuttgart 
Length: 9 Minutes 15 Secs. 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 3 Customer Reviews )
 CRISP CLEAR CASCADING BAROQUE SOUND March 22, 2014 By Arthur Papas (Weston, MA) See All My Reviews "This is a gem of a recording with variety and exceptional performances and sound. Highly recommended." Report Abuse
 Classical era bassoon February 22, 2014 By S. Harris (Saint Louis, MO) See All My Reviews "Some classic bassoon selections from the classical era--and a barrel of fun! Quite delightful." Report Abuse
 Outstanding performances - vivid-clear sound! July 7, 2012 By EVANGELOS AKTOUDIANAKIS (VRILISSIA, ATHENS) See All My Reviews "For thirty years George Zukerman has been celebrated world-wide as the "High Priest of the bassoon" . This cd is a fine example of his art with Mozart's basoon concerto and Weber's Andante and Hungarian rondo the highlights and Faerber's support perfect as ever." Report Abuse
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