Limerick: Concerto for Bassoon

For virtuoso bassoon soloist and Grade 4 band or orchestra: 3222-4331-strings timp+3
17 minutes, Four movements, available separately
Recordings: Northeastern University Wind Ensemble, Allen Feinstein, conductor; Dale Clark, bassoon

I. Doubloon, or the Pirate’s Treasure: Acrobatic and melodic for the bassoon, this Spanish influenced piece is a flashy solo vehicle with a fun and easy band accompaniment. 4 min.

II. Honeymoon: A band member says, “Do you take this woman to be your husband,’ and the bassoon answers in a high voice. “Do you take this woman to be your wife?” and a low voice responds. What follows is a romantic duet between the two extremes of the bassoon range (and the couple’s first argument!-don’t worry-it has a happy ending). 5 min.

III. Cartoon: A horse whinnies! A gun fires! Someone sobs-something crashes, and here comes the cavalry to save the day! This crazy movement is an homage to Carl Stalling, composer of the music that accompanied Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoons. Great fun for band and audience alike. (And a well-deserved break for the bassoonist, who occasionally plays an ‘uh-oh!’ figure when calamity strikes). 4 min.