COMPOSER : Alexandra Lehmann
Bassoon’s Tour of The Exotic East
Bassoons Tour of The Exotic East
The year 2020 will be infamously recorded as a time when musicians had to lead a solitary life, which is incompatible with musical activity.
Furthermore, travel has been severely restricted, having a devastating impact on performers’ lives. So, I decided to compose pieces for solo bassoon.
1. Dynamic Dabkeh Dance
Bassoon plays for a ‘Dynamic Dabkeh Dance’ in the Levant, where dancers dance energetically in a circle to celebrate a wedding.
2. Slithering Snake Charmer's Sinuous Chant
Bassoon plays a ‘Sinuous chant for a Slithering Snake’ as a snake-charmer in the Indian subcontinent. The slithering snake undulates in response to the raga-infused melody.
3. Merry Madagascar
Bassoon travels south-east to the island of Madagascar where here is a village harvest Carnival, with much merriment and communal music.
4. Lively and Luxurious Lion Dance
Further north, Bassoon participates in the Far Eastern lively and luxurious Lion Dance to bring good luck and fortune.
5. Indonesian Gamelan
Bassoon must hurry to Indonesia where there is an Indonesian Gamelan puppet whole-tone scale musical performance, with chiming large gongs, and fast clattering metallophones.
6. Polynesian Party
Bassoon takes the boat to the Polynesian Islands to play at a Party celebrating the sea.
7. Anthem to the Chrysanthemum
Finally, Bassoon goes up north again and plays homage with an Anthem to the mystical Chrysanthemum with a pentatonic melody representing happiness, love, longevity, nobility, and joy.
