Description

Carl Maria von Weber wrote the present concerto in 1811 for the Munich bassoon player Georg Friedrich Brandt. The date of the world premiere is not known; what is ascertained, however, is a performance in Prague on 19 February 1813 by Brandt, to whom the work was dedicated.Along with Mozart��s B-flat major Concerto K. 191 (186e), Weber��s bassoon concerto is one of the most popular and frequently played concertos for this low woodwind instrument. Weber illustrates the instrument��s qualities by using adifferent form in each movement, as we can see in its primary themes: t he opening movement is dominated by a rhythmically striking theme; cantabile passages set the tone for the more lightly scored Adagio; and in the closing ��Rondo. Allegro,�� the soloist can demonstrate his virtuosity from the very beginning through large intervallic leaps and rapid runs.