The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Paul Dukas
SAVE THE BASSOON! For some reason, this noble instrument which along with the Double Basses, Cellos, and Tubas, makes up the very foundation of an orchestra is in danger of dying out from a lack of players. Perhaps because it is a large instrument, or perhaps it is thought of as being musically less nimble that the other woodwind family members (the latter of which is not the case I assure you), who knows. The Bassoon is a wonderful instrument in every way – a big wooden bazooka you hold like an electric Guitar, it has tons of personality and makes a great sound – what’s not to love!
To help raise the profile of this endangered species, I (a life-long trumpet player) will be learning the Bassoon from scratch in September alongside our new intake of Year 7 Music Scheme pupils. If your child is interested in learning an instrument, especially a woodwind instrument, please give the Bassoon some serious consideration – they make mini ones for smaller players too, if that helps.
To persuade you further, here is Paul Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, famously used in Disney’s Fantasia. It features perhaps one of the best-known Bassoon solos ever written. I hope it works it’s magic on you.