THURSDAY 3 October, 2024

Assembly Hall, Professional Conservatory of La Rioja, Logroño

7.30 pm

ELEGIA CONCERTANTE (Elegy Concertante) is a piece that David JOHNSTONE felt that he owed the wonderful bassoonist and musician and organizer José Manuel Rausell, to whom it is fondly dedicated in his memory.

It was a privilege for Johnstone to count on José Manuel as a close friend and colleague – perhaps they clicked together in part for their love of silly jokes!

José Manuel had prepared meticulous computer editions of numerous Johnstone works prior to their publication in Great Britain, and they were invariably perfectly done.

The Elegía Concertante is by no means an easy piece for any performer; it uses the entire bassoon range with a wide use of emotions from declamatory intensity to the eery sound of far-away stars. It is written in 2024 for BASSOON in three possibilities:

1) Solo Bassoon, without accompaniment (as a recital piece)

2) Solo Bassoon, with String Orchestra (in orchestral concerts)

3) Solo Bassoon, with String Quartet (in chamber concerts)