Music by Daniel Dorff

home
ordering information

MUSIC FOR CONTRABASSOON

Concerto for Contrabassoon (13') 
1) SOLO CONTRABASSOON WITH CLARINET, HORN, AND STRING ORCHESTRA
 – COMMISSIONED by the Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia for contrabassoonist Norman Spielberg.
– PREMIERED November 3, 1991 by Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Norman Spielberg contrabassoon; James Freeman guest conductor.
– PERFORMANCES include 2010 IDRS Convention, Louisville Orchestra, and others with leading guest contrabassoon soloists.
– REVIEWS:
“Repertory for the contrabassoon has been significantly enhanced of late by the addition of concertos by Daniel Dorff...” 
                              — MLA Notes (Christopher Weait), December 1993.
“An excellent new concerto... in a very listenable and audience-appealing style. Dorff has written a number of fine compositions and has crafted here an excellent new work for the contrabassoonist.” 
                             — The Double Reed (Ron Klimko), Spring 1993.
“(The concert) was jammed with people who were obviously pleased they were there. A local composer with a growing international reputation presented a world premiere that deserved the response the audience gave it.” 
                            — Philadelphia Welcomat (Purdom), November 13, 1991.
“This is a work that could effectively introduce the rarely heard solo contrabassoon to audiences of any age or experience. It has the happy characteristic of being easily understood. Performers will appreciate its professionally clear notation and effective orchestration.”
                            — MLA Notes (Christopher Weait), March 1995.
 “I’m sure all contrabassoon players will treasure this addition to their ... repertoire.”
                            — Sol Schoenbach, former principal Bassoon, Philadelphia Orchestra
– AUDIO EXCERPTS: Roger Soren’s performance with the Haddonfield Symphony, conducted by Daniel Hege:
          from Mvt. 1
          from Mvt. 2
          from Mvt. 3

2) QUARTET VERSION: CONTRABASSOON, CLARINET, HORN, AND PIANO
Contrabassoon, Clarinet, Horn parts identical to orchestra version, piano plays the string parts.
– PREMIERE of Quartet Version: Lori Tiberio (cbn.) and UNC-Charlotte faculty, April 28, 1996.
– PERFORMANCES  include 1996 IDRS annual convention (Susan Nigro, cbn.)

3) CONTRABASSOON AND PIANO
 – PREMIERE of piano version September 28, 1993 at St. Xavier University, Chicago; Susan Nigro, contrabassoon, Mark Lindeblad, piano.
– PUBLISHED by Lauren Keiser Music. (solo part, piano reduction, quartet version, orchestra score for sale; orchestra parts on rental)
– PROGRAM NOTES

 

  
  Daniel Hege, Daniel Dorff, Roger Soren
  following their Haddonfield Symphony performance.
Fast Walk for 3 Bassoons & Contrabassoon (Quartet or Ensemble) (2½ ')

– PREMIERED by the Ohio State University Bassoon Ensemble, Christopher Weait director, at IDRS 1997.
– PUBLISHED by Tenuto Publications (Presser 494-02686).
– ALSO AVAILABLE for Clarinet Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, Orchestra.
– REVIEW: "This short, upbeat piece makes a terrific opener for a concert, or as the first piece after intermission."
         — Susan Fancher, Saxophone Journal, September/October 2007
– PROGRAM NOTES
– AUDIO EXCERPT: Harmo Saxophone Quartet playing the sax version 

 
In A Deep Funk: Dance Set for Unaccompanied Contrabassoon (14')

1. Hustle Misterioso
2. Twist Variations
3. Bear Hug
4. Funk Scherzo
– COMMISSIONED for the 1997 International Contrabassoon Festival, Las Vegas, as the required contest piece.
– PREMIERED by Roger Soren at 1997 IDRS Convention.
– Mvt. 4 on Oregon Symphony's audition repertoire list, December 2002.
– PERFORMANCES include Juan de Gomar at 2008 IDRS Convention.
– PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company (114-40881).
– REVIEW of Movement 2:
“Based on the popular dance from the 1960s, this is a fun piece for the audience as well as the accomplished contra player. A standard rock and roll chord progression is treated in a variety of ways melodically and rhythmically, with a few nods in the direction of Dave Brubeck and other jazz musicians as well. Although its duration is less than six minutes, the piece is quite grueling. The entire four-movement set is quite a blow at around twelve minutes! ... the piece really is a hoot for both the player up to the challenge, and for the audience.”
           -Jon Beebe, The Double Reed, Vol. 26, No. 4 (2003) 
 – AUDIO EXCERPTS of Roger Soren’s premiere, live at IDRS:
           from Mvt. 1
           from Mvt. 2
           from Mvt. 4
 – PROGRAM NOTES

 
It Takes Four to Tango for 3 Bassoons & Contrabassoon (Quartet or Ensemble) (1990/1997) (2½ min.)

– PREMIERED by the Ohio State University Bassoon Ensemble, Christopher Weait director
– PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company (114-40872). 
– ALSO AVAILABLE for Flute Quartet, Clarinet Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, String Quartet, and many other combinations (see program notes).
 – YOUTUBE of New Jersey Bassoon Ensemble's live performance
– PROGRAM NOTES

 

 
Sonatina d’Amore for 2 Contrabassoons (8') 

– COMMISSIONED by Susan Nigro for “The Two Contras” — Susan Nigro and Burl Lane (of the Chicago Symphony).
– PREMIERED on the Chicago Symphony WFMT-FM Radiothon by The Two Contras, June 1998.
– RECORDED by The Two Contras on Crystal CD 349.
– PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company (114-40941).
– PROGRAM NOTES
– AUDIO EXCERPTS from the Crystal CD:
          from Mvt. 1
          from Mvt. 2
          from Mvt. 3

 

last updated 12/28/11
home