Miscellany

Performance of the Andriessen Concertino with the NEC Wind Ensemble

On November 11, 2014 Richard Svoboda performed Jurriaan Andriessen's Concertino for bassoon & wind ensemble with the New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble. If you don't know this piece I highly recommend that you give it a listen because it is way cool! It would make a wonderful addition to that recital you are planning (with the unfortunate caveat that it is a bit expensive to rent). You can stream an audio recording of the performance HERE.

Boston Double Reed Day and the premiere of Andrew List's Journey Toward the Eternal Flame

On October 5th, 2014 the Boston Woodwind Society and New England Conservatory cosponsored "Boston Double Reed Day." About a hundred bassoonists and oboists spent much of that day at NEC attending master classes and a recital as well as visiting vendors. A highlight of the day was the premiere of Andrew List's trio for oboe, bassoon, and piano, Journey Toward the Eternal Flame, performed by John Ferrillo, Richard Svoboda, and Damien Francoeur-Krzyzek. The piece was inspired by and dedicated to bassoonist Matthew Ruggiero, former member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and founder of the Boston Woodwind Society. You can hear the premiere of the evocative three-movement work here: Up from the Depths, Journey to the High Mountain, and Life Dance. You can see more pictures from this event, and learn more about the work of the Boston Woodwind Society on their website.

Marc Neikrug Bassoon Concerto premiered with the BSO

Marc Neikrug's Bassoon Concerto was premiered in November of 2013 by Richard Svoboda and the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Rafael Frübeck de Burgos, which coincidetally were to be the beloved maestro's final performances with the orchestra. The work was very well received, and the bassoon world now had a terrific new concerto that is deserving of many repeat performances. As this was a co-commision of four orchestras, there were three other performance runs scheduled. Sue Heineman and the National Symphony Orchestra, Theodore Soluri and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Christopher Millard and the Ottawa Arts Center Orchestra performed the work during the 2014-15 season. All three were on hand for the final performance in Boston on November 23rd, 2013. You can read the Boston Globe review HERE.

Photos of the Neikrug premiere by Elizabeth M. Foulser. Other photos courtesy of the Boston Woodwind Society.