Product Overview
By Daniel Baldwin.
The composer writes, "As a member of the double reed society, I am enrolled in a forum that arrives in my email daily filled with tips for double reed technique and various other informative issues that I have found fascinating and useful in my own writing. While I must admit that I don’t respond to the forum often, I was intrigued when Anthony (Sexton) posted a request for literature selections for bassoon and violin duet. Having several bassoon player friends with violin playing significant others, I offered him the opportunity for a commission. However, just before beginning the piece in the summer of 2005, my step-father passed away very suddenly. The loss left my family stunned and grief stricken. This piece is my way of expressing my feelings brought out by the loss and is my tribute to this great man that was taken from us too soon. "
The composer writes, "As a member of the double reed society, I am enrolled in a forum that arrives in my email daily filled with tips for double reed technique and various other informative issues that I have found fascinating and useful in my own writing. While I must admit that I don’t respond to the forum often, I was intrigued when Anthony (Sexton) posted a request for literature selections for bassoon and violin duet. Having several bassoon player friends with violin playing significant others, I offered him the opportunity for a commission. However, just before beginning the piece in the summer of 2005, my step-father passed away very suddenly. The loss left my family stunned and grief stricken. This piece is my way of expressing my feelings brought out by the loss and is my tribute to this great man that was taken from us too soon. "
In a simple extended binary part form (ABABA), the music is by turns reflective, somber, intense, and dramatic. While it sometimes cries out as if to ask, “why has this happened?”, it always responds with comfort and hope that he is now in a better place.
“Ballade” for Bassoon, Violin, and Piano was premiered at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on November 21, 2005.
