BASSOON AND PIANO MUSIC
Contemporary Bassoon and Piano Music & Repertoire
This collection of contemporary bassoon and piano music presents works written for performers seeking expressive, modern repertoire for concerts, competitions, and advanced study. These compositions explore the full range of the bassoon–piano duo, from lyrical writing and intimate dialogue to dynamic interplay and coloristic contrast. This page provides an overview of available works, including instrumentation details, program notes, and score information.
EX SILENTIUM
for bassoon and piano
Duration:
11 minutes
Instrumentation:
bassoon and piano
Year Composed:
2018
Written for:
Uzi Shalev
Premiere Performance:
3 February, 2020
Tel Aviv, Israel
Uzi Shalev, bassoon
Eyal Baat, piano
About Ex Silentium (From the Silence)
In Ex Silentium (From the Silence) I explored the soft, hauntingly lyrical side of the bassoon — a sound that seems to emerge from within the silence itself. The work is atmospheric in nature: quiet fragments and suspended lines create a peaceful, inward‑looking state of mind.
Ex Silentium was written for Uzi Shalev.
For the Performers
Level: Ideal for professional bassoonists and pianists; also suitable for advanced students developing control, phrasing, and quiet‑range expressivity.
Programming: Works well in contemporary chamber concerts, themed programs, and bassoon recitals that explore color, stillness, or atmospheric writing.
Competitions / Auditions: Suitable for competitions and auditions that value tone quality, lyrical shaping, and refined ensemble balance.
Style: Soft, lyrical, and introspective writing that unfolds gradually from silence.
Venue Fit: Most effective in intimate halls where quiet nuance and subtle color can be fully appreciated.
Program Notes
Ex Silentium (“from the silence”) explores the soft, hauntingly lyrical side of the bassoon — a sound that seems to emerge from within the silence itself. The work is atmospheric in nature: quiet fragments and suspended lines create a peaceful, inward‑looking state of mind.
Ex Silentium was written for Uzi Shalev.
About Bassoon and Piano Music
The bassoon and piano duo offers a distinctive blend of warmth, agility, and expressive depth. Writing for this ensemble allows for intimate dialogue, dramatic contrast, and a wide spectrum of colors, from lyrical cantabile lines to playful, virtuosic gestures. These works contribute to the expanding contemporary repertoire for bassoon and piano, providing performers with technically engaging and artistically rewarding pieces suitable for both recital and professional performance settings.
Bassoon and Piano Repertoire List
Henri Dutilleux – Sarabande et Cortège (1942)
Written for the Paris Conservatoire, it features a somber, stately dance followed by a brilliant, energetic march.
Paul Hindemith – Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1938)
A neoclassical staple known for its structural clarity, contrapuntal texture, and characteristically dry wit.
Alexandre Tansman – Sonatine for Bassoon and Piano (1952)
Dedicated to Maurice Allard, this work is celebrated for its neo-baroque structures and jazz-influenced rhythmic vitality.
Eugène Bozza – Récit, Sicilienne et Rondo (1963)
A popular French "concours" piece that explores the bassoon’s full expressive range, from lyrical lines to virtuosic flourishes.
Alvin Etler – Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1951)
An influential American work featuring rugged rhythms, intense energy, and a sophisticated, moderately modern harmonic language.
Jean Françaix – Divertissement (1942)
A lighthearted, witty composition characterized by rapid-fire technical passages and the composer’s signature French charm.
David Gillingham – Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1996)
Gordon Jacob – Partita for Bassoon and Piano (1970)
A suite of character pieces demonstrating Jacob’s mastery of woodwind writing through clear forms and tonal appeal.
Miguel del Águila – Hexen (1986)
A dramatic, rhythmically driven work depicting a bewitchment ritual with intense energy and South American folk influences.
Michael Daugherty – Dead Elvis (1993)
A postmodern tour de force referencing Elvis Presley and the Dies Irae, originally for bassoon and chamber ensemble but frequently performed with piano.
André Jolivet – Concerto for Bassoon (1954)
Though a concerto, the piano reduction is a recital standard known as one of the most difficult pieces in the repertoire.
John Steinmetz – Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1998)
A highly popular contemporary work that blends jazz, classical, and world music elements with great emotional depth.
Mathieu Lussier – Bassango (2003)
A vibrant, accessible contemporary piece that utilizes tango rhythms to showcase the bassoon’s percussive and lyrical capabilities.
A modern American sonata notable for its lush romanticism, driving rhythms, and expressive, singing melodic lines.