"Le Phénix," 18th-Century French Music for Bassoon

Available at Trevco Music

In 2013 I released my first solo recording, "Le Phénix," 18th-Century French Music for Bassoon, which features works of Boismortier, Corrette, and Devienne. Joining me on every track are harpsichordist John Gibbons and fellow BSO bassoonist Suzanne Nelsen. The rest of the BSO bassoon section, Richard Ranti and Gregg Henegar, join us for the title track, Corrette's "Le Phénix." What a treat it was to create this CD with these fine artists!

Excerpts from the review in The Double Reed, Journal of the International Double Reed Society

In The Double Reed, reviewer Marc Vallon called "Le Phénix," 18th-Century French Music for Bassoon a "flawless and sophisticated album." Of the Corrette "Le Phénix" he writes that "he uses both French and improvised ornamentation abundantly and elegantly as well as the famous inégalité, so idiomatic of French Baroque music." He goes on to say that "Mr. Svoboda offers a very nice example of perfectly successful notes inégales in the Rigaudon of the Boismortier Op. 40 in which, combined with his graceful ornamentation and his gorgeous tone, he extracts from the piece all the variety and elegance that it can offer." In the Corrette Sonata in D minor "Mr. Svoboda and Ms. Nelsen join forces to create an admirably perfect ensemble in which every note is perfectly articulated, resonant, and rich-sounding." Of the Devienne pieces Mr. Vallon writes "Mr. Svoboda is magnificently at ease in these later works, which prove to be a perfect medium for his technical perfection and sophisticated musicality. His tempi fall all just right, his control of the instument is impressive, and listeners will definitely enjoy the refinement and vocal-like quality of his sound."

In conclusion Mr. Vallon writes "This album is a complete success in many ways. The overall recording sound is warm and clear, the general balance excellent, even if one wishes for a more present harpsichord, which is such an important component of the Baroque tone. More importantly, this CD shows that it is possible to combine stylistic interest and technical perfection. Performances of early music on modern instruments sometimes fall into two common traps: a meticulous following of the deceptive and sketchy notation and an overabundance of ornamentation. Mr. Svoboda, faithfully and perfectly seconded by Ms. Nelsen and his first class team, brilliantly avoids both of these shortcomings in an album that will stand out as a testimony to their highest technical standards and enlightened musicianship."

Ordering Information

You can find "Le Phénix" at the following retailer:

• Trevco Music