Customer Reviews

Karen Geoghegan plays Bassoon Concertos

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I had heard the Hummel concerto on the radio and was looking for a good recording.

I owned a recording that I was not happy with, and so I asked an expert and read
the reviews here. But my memory of what the expert had to say played me false, and
I bought this one by mistake.

I could not be happier. This is the first recording of the Hummel concerto that I
have listened to and not ended up wishing for a better performance/recording. The
first time that I listened to it, I thought that the performer did not bring enough
age and maturity to the delicate emotionality of the second movement. But the next
time it seemed to me that her youth and passion were more than equal to expressing
the extreme anguish evident later in the movement. While I think that her playing
lacks polish and precision in one or two places, I think she more than makes up for
this with her tempo and feeling for the music. It's worthwhile noting that this
piece is often an examination piece and a bit of a 'bete noire' for bassoonists.

There follows a 'tour de force' of music most of which was previously unknown to
me, mainly in historical order. Carl Maria von Weber is probably well-known for his
music for Bassoon (and there is some nice light music from him), but there is also
Franz Berwald and Carl Heinrich Jacobi with some very fine music. With music from
these, as well as composers such as Ritter and Vanhal, it is perhaps not entirely
surprising that the giants of classical music did not write very much for Bassoon
(especially Mozart, who I am sure would not have been able to resist 'fart' jokes).

There follows a piece written by Elgar for a friend while he was also composing a
much grander work. It is probably the first piece on the CD that was definitely
written for modern Bassoon, and seems to be a very definite shift in tonality.

The CD ends up with perhaps the strongest piece; a bluesy rendition of 'Summertime'
by George Gershwin. The arrangement has a little more ornamentation than I'd like,
but is still very pleasant to listen to and probably much more to modern taste.

Buy this CD, all of the pieces are gems and there will be one or two surprises!

I look forward to hearing more from this performer and to hearing her tackle works
by Vanhal, Ritter, Onslow and perhaps even Devienne (whose solo parts are original
but whose accompaniments seem endlessly trite and cliche).

This is perhaps one of the best cds of bassoon music I have, especially for bassoon and orchestra. Geoghegan's sound if full, dark, and very clear. Her vibrato is sound and she demonstrates a musicality that is hard to find on bassoon cds, and she's a young person with the playing of people past her point in life. This is a must have cd for any budding bassoonist who want an idea of what to look for and work towards in their playing. I would also recommend this compact disc to anyone interested in good classical music to expand their library or for background music to add a touch of unique "class" to the household.

I played bassoon throughout high school and college (the horns belonged to the schools) and still miss the instrument decades later. It's tone is unsurpassed in mystery and rich texture. But it is one hard instrument to master. Not sure how I came across this recording (downloaded the album for my iPhone) and can't stop listening to it. It literally sends shivers up my spine and bumps on my arms during some of the faster passages that are flawlessly rendered. I have no idea how anyone could possibly play these passages, let alone with such artistry and expression and synchronization with the orchestra. Geoghegan demonstrates a oneness with her orchestral accompaniment that's masterful. Thank you Ms. Geoghegan for finding the God given talent this demonstrates and perfecting it for the good of all humanity. Oh, and the "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess is a real surprise. Who knew that the bassoon was a jazz instrument. I'll never play this on my Clarinet again.