BASSOON HISTORY

Double reed instruments have existed since ancient times. The origin of the Bassoon itself dates back at least 500 years, where there was in use a one-piece instrument with a double reed made of cane. One name for this instrument was the dulcian, which came from the Latin word meaning "soft and sweet." The English version was called the curtal.

During the reign of Louis the XIV (1643-1715), French instrument makers constructed a new curtal made of four separate pieces/ similar to Bassoon. Its use rapidly spread throughout western Europe. Throughout the 1 700's keys were added so that more notes could be played.

In the 1820's, Carl Almenrader redesigned the Bassoon, and through a partnership with Adam Heckel, developed the German Bassoon. It is this Bassoon, with minor changes and improvements, that is played today in the United States, most of Europe, and elsewhere around the world. A French Bassoon also exists, and is played mostly in France and some parts of Canada.

Today, Bassoons are played in bands, orchestras, woodwind quintets, and other small ensembles. Bassoons are usually made of maple, rosewood, ebonite, or plastic.

Audio Examples:
Copland: Appalachian Spring, III
Bart��k: Concerto for Orchestra, II Vivaldi: Bassoon Concerto in E minor