Wednesday 3rd August is WEBER BASSOON CONCERTO day!
The final version of the work was completed by Weber on 3rd August 1822 (dated on the autograph manuscript). If you are in central London on Wednesday afternoon at 4.30pm, come and join the audience in a FREE 30-minute concert performance. Soloist Amy Thompson and an ensemble of more than 30 bassoonists will be performing a version of the Concerto entirely for bassoons and contrabassoon! Click HERE for venue and other details, plus an audio sample of what the bassoon ensemble version sounds like. (Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian).
Weber
Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in F major, Op.75
2022 is the 200th anniversary of this wonderful concerto - a perfect blend of lyricism and virtuosity which displays the finest qualities of the bassoon.
SEE BELOW for details of live performances of the Weber Concerto to be given by Laurence Perkins around the U.K. in 2022
LISTEN to Laurence Perkins performing excerpts from all three movements of the Weber Bassoon Concerto with Manchester Camerata conducted by Douglas Boyd (by kind permission of Hyperion Records Ltd.)
Click the 'play' arrow on the audio bar below to listen to the Weber Concerto.
Details of this recording are on the Hyperion webpage - click HERE to go directly to that page.
LIVE performances of the Weber Bassoon Concerto by Laurence Perkins in 2022
(All details to be confirmed, and subject to change without notice. This page will be regularly updated.)
Saturday 5th March 2022 at 7.30pm
with the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra conducted by Robin McEwan
Venue: All Saints Church, Ecclesall, Ringinglow Rd, Sheffield S11 7PP. Programme also includes Boyce Symphony No.4, Fauré Pavane, Haydn Symphony 99 in Eb Major and Sibelius (arr McEwan) Valse Triste. Click HERE for details and on-line ticket booking.
Saturday 26th March 2022 at 3pm
with the Penzance Orchestral Society
conducted by Judith Bailey
Venue: St John’s Hall, Alverton Road, Penzance, Cornwall
Programme also includes Doreen Carwithen’s Bishop’s Rock Overture, Judith Bailey’s Concerto for Orchestra and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes. Click HERE for ticket booking.
Sunday 15th May 2022 at 3pm
with the Aberdeen Sinfonietta
conducted by Garry Walker
Venue: The Music Hall, Aberdeen
Programme also includes Weber Overture Der Freischütz, Beethoven Finale from the Prometheus ballet suite, Nicolai Overture The Merry Wives of Windsor, Brahms Hungarian Dance No 5, and Sibelius Karelia Suite
Wednesday 3rd August 2022 at 4.30pm
Massed bassoon ensemble
conducted by Laurence Perkins
with soloist Amy Thompson (and other soloists tbc)
Venue: Kennedy Hall, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY
This is a free-admission performance at the end of an afternoon play session involving amateur and professional players, performing an all-bassoon ensemble version of the Weber Concerto Op.75. The performance will be approximately 30 minutes duration.
Saturday 22nd October 2022 at 7.30pm
Greenwich Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Cutts
Venue: St. Alfége's Church, Greenwich
Sunday 6th November 2022 at 7.30pm
with the Heisenberg Ensemble
Venue: Holy Trinity Church, South Street, St. Andrews KY16 9NL. Programme also includes Mozart Overture to 'La Clemenza di Tito' and Mozart Divertimento in F K138. Tickets reservable in advance up to 4 November, phone 01382 540031
Saturday 12th November 2022
with the Stafford Sinfonia conducted by Jack Lovell-Huckle
Venue and performance time details tbc
Saturday 3rd December 2022
with the Essex Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rob Hodge
Venue: Christ Church, New London Road, Chelmsford, CM1 0DW
Do you play the bassoon?
If so, click HERE to go the the 'Bassoon' webpage for details of an exciting and unique live event in London on 3rd August - the anniversary date of the Weber Bassoon Concerto.
Bring your bassoon along, and join in the celebration!