Contrabassoon
Woodwind instrument | |
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Other names |
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Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 422.112–71 (Double-reeded aerophone with keys) |
Developed | Mid 18th century |
Playing range | |
Written pitch, sounds one octave lower
Sounding pitch | |
Related instruments | |
The contrabassoon, also known as the double bassoon, is a larger version of the bassoon, sounding an octave lower. Its technique is similar to its smaller cousin, with a few notable differences.
Differences from the bassoon
The reed is considerably larger than the bassoon's, at 65–75 mm (2.6–3.0 in) in total length (and 20 mm (0.8 in) in width) compared with 53–58 mm (2.1–2.3 in) for most bassoon reeds. The large blades allow ample vibration that produces the low register of the instrument. The contrabassoon reed is similar to an average bassoon's in that scraping the reed affects both the intonation and response of the instrument. [1]
Contrabassoons feature a slightly simplified version of bassoon keywork, though all open toneholes on bassoon have necessarily been replaced with keys and pads due to the physical distances. In the lower register, its fingerings are nearly identical to bassoon. However, the octave mechanism used to play in the middle register works differently than on bassoon, and the upper register fingerings are often completely unrelated.
The instrument is twice as long as the bassoon, curves around on itself twice and, due to its weight and shape, is supported by an endpin rather than a seat strap. Additional support is sometimes provided by a strap around the player's neck. A wider hand position is also required, as the primary finger keys are widely spaced. The contrabassoon has a water key to expel condensation and a tuning slide for gross pitch adjustments. The instrument comes in a few pieces (plus bocal); some models cannot be disassembled without a screwdriver. Sometimes, the bell can be detached, and instruments with a low A extension often come in two parts.
Range, notation and tone
The contrabassoon is a very deep-sounding woodwind instrument that plays in the same sub-bass register as the tuba, double bass, or contrabass clarinet. It has a sounding range beginning at B♭0 (or A0, on some instruments) and extending up over three octaves to D4, though the highest fourth is rarely scored for. Donald Erb and Kalevi Aho write even higher in their concertos for the instrument (to A♭4 and C5, respectively), but this is extraordinary and well beyond the expectations of the typical instrument or player. Contrabassoon parts are notated an octave above sounding pitch, and most often use bass clef. Like bassoon, extended high-register passages may use tenor clef, though this is rarely necessary due to the rarity of such passages. The use of treble clef is even less common, and is only necessary for the most ambitious solo repertoire.
Tonally, it sounds similar to the bassoon, but at all parts of its compass is distinctly different in tone from it. There is a "thinning" of the sound in extreme high register, as in all double reeds, but unlike oboe and bassoon which become more penetrative and "intense" in this register, the contrabassoon's sound becomes less audibly substantial and is easily drowned out. Conversely, contrabassoon also has a booming quality, similar to organ pedals, in its lowest register; enabling it to produce powerful contrabass tones when desired (aided by the flared bell, which the bassoon does not have). The contrabassoon can also produce a "buzz" or "rattle", particularly when loud and in its low register, which gives the sound an edged quality. This effect can be mitigated greatly by changes to the reed design, but it can be a desirable quality for some players, as it adds to the sinister or monstrous quality which some contrabassoon writing seeks to affect, and causes the contrabassoon sound to be more prominent in musical textures.
History
Current use
Most major orchestras use one contrabassoonist, either as a primary player or a bassoonist who doubles, as do a large number of symphonic bands.
The contrabassoon is a supplementary orchestral instrument and is most frequently found in larger symphonic works, often doubling the bass trombone or tuba at the octave. Frequent exponents of such scoring were Brahms and Mahler, as well as Richard Strauss, and Dmitri Shostakovich. The first composer to write a separate contrabassoon part in a symphony was Beethoven, in his Fifth Symphony (1808) (it can also be heard providing the bass line in the brief "Janissary band" section of the fourth movement of his Symphony No. 9, just prior to the tenor solo), although Bach, Handel (in his Music for the Royal Fireworks), Haydn (e.g., in both of his oratorios The Creation and The Seasons, where the part for the contrabassoon and the bass trombone are mostly, but not always, identical), and Mozart had occasionally used it in other genres (e.g., in the Coronation Mass). Composers have often used the contrabassoon to comical or sinister effect by taking advantage of its seeming "clumsiness" and its sepulchral rattle, respectively. A clear example of this can be heard in Paul Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice (originally scored for contrabass sarrusophone). Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is one of the few orchestral works that requires two contrabassoons.[2]
As a featured instrument, the contrabassoon can be heard in several works, most notably Maurice Ravel's Mother Goose Suite, and at the opening of Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. Gustav Holst gave the contrabassoon multiple solos in The Planets, primarily in "Mercury, the Winged Messenger" and "Uranus, the Magician".[3]
Solo literature is somewhat lacking, although some modern composers such as Gunther Schuller, Donald Erb, Michael Tilson Thomas, John Woolrich, Kalevi Aho, and Daniel Dorff have written concertos for this instrument (see below). Stephen Hough has written a trio for piccolo, contrabassoon and piano Was mit den Tränen geschieht. Contrabassoon may theoretically play music for bassoon, which has much more solo repertoire, but the sonic and mechanical differences from the bassoon (and bassoon's comparative facility in the high register) mean that bassoon repertoire is not always suited to contra.
Notable solos and soloists
Most major symphony orchestras employ a contrabassoon, and many have programmed concerts featuring their contrabassoonist as soloist. For example, Michael Tilson Thomas: Urban Legend for Contrabassoon and Orchestra featuring Steven Braunstein, San Francisco Symphony;[4] Gunther Schuller: Concerto for Contrabassoon featuring Lewis Lipnick, National Symphony Orchestra[citation needed]; John Woolrich: Falling Down featuring Margaret Cookhorn, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra;[5] Erb: Concerto for Contrabassoon featuring Gregg Henegar, London Symphony Orchestra;[6] Kalevi Aho: Concerto for Contrabassoon featuring Lewis Lipnick Bergen Symphony Orchestra[7]
One of the few contrabassoon soloists in the world is Susan Nigro,[8] who lives and works in and around Chicago. Besides occasional gigs with orchestras and other ensembles (including regular substitute with the Chicago Symphony), her main work is as soloist and recording artist. Many works have been written specifically for her,[citation needed] and she has released several CDs.
Henry Skolnick has performed and toured internationally on the instrument.[citation needed] He commissioned, premiered and recorded Aztec Ceremonies for contrabassoon by Graham Waterhouse.[9]
A rare use of the instrument in jazz was by Garvin Bushell, who sat in as a guest with saxophonist John Coltrane during his 1961 recording sessions at the Village Vanguard.
Manufacturers
Current
As of 2019[update], there are nine firms which manufacture contrabassoons (in alphabetical order):
- Amati[10]
- Fox[11]
- Heckel[12]
- Kronwalt[13] (a collaboration between Guntram Wolf and Rudolf Walter)
- Mönnig-Adler[14][15]
- Mollenhauer[16] (also manufactures contrabassoons under the Schreiber brand)[17][18]
- Moosmann[19]
- Püchner[20]
- Takeda[21]
Historic
These firms once manufactured contrabassoons, but no longer do so.
- Lignatone (Czechoslovakia)[22]
- Cabart (Paris) stopped after purchase by Lorée in 1974.[23]
- Buffet Crampon (Paris): Keywork differentiated from the German style somewhat.[24]
References
- ^ INCONIS, The Contrabassoon: Contrabassoon Reeds page 204 / Reed Manual page 207
- ^ "NY Phil Plays on" (PDF). Nyphil.org.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
auto
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "robertronnes.com". www.robertronnes.com. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Margaret Cookhorn - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra". City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
- ^ "The London Philharmonic Celebrates American Composers". Amazon.com. 6 July 1990.
- ^ "Andrew Litton Insights: Passed Up by the NSO, Concerto For Contrabassoon Premieres in Norway, Feb 2006 - Conductor - Maestro - Music Director - Musician". Andrewlitton.com.
- ^ "Sue Nigro - Contrabassoon". Bigbassoon.com. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ Bassoon with a View Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine innova.mu
- ^ "Kontrafagoty". Amati.cz. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Fox Products - Contrabassoons". Foxproducts.com. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Wilhelm Heckel GmbH". Heckel.de. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Kontrafagott | Walter Fagott". Retrieved 2022-04-21.
- ^ "Double Bassoons". Moennig-adler.de. 9 March 2017.
- ^ "Double Bassoons". Moennig-adler.de. 9 March 2017.
- ^ "Gustav Mollenhauer&Söhne". Archived from the original on 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
- ^ "Collections | W.Schreiber". Archived from the original on 2015-09-12. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
- ^ "Mollenhauer bassoon (Page 1) — The Instrument Shop — IDRS forum (TM)". Idrs.org. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Startseite - Bernd Moosmann". Archived from the original on 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
- ^ "Contrabassoons". Archived from the original on 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
- ^ "Contrabassoon – Takeda Bassoon". Takeda-bassoon.vom.
- ^ "ContraBassoon by Lignatone (item #754670)". Archived from the original on 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
- ^ "Ad-bazaar.com". Woodwind.ad-bazaar.com. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Instrument Sale: Buffet Crampon Contrebasson N° 40XX". Archived from the original on 2019-05-05. Retrieved 2019-05-05.