Duofor bassoon and double bass(no opus number)
| Written: 1925 | Premiered: |
| Length: 4 minutes | One movement |
| Publisher: Durand | Dedication: Serge Koussevitsky.. |
About this Work:|
Like opus 29 (entitled Segovia) and opus 21 (Impromptu) the Duo is a short
piece composed with a particular performer in mind. In this case,
the performer was Serge Koussevitzky, who lived in Paris for
several years following the Russian Revolution.
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| Koussevitzky is perhaps best known as the conductor of the Boston Symphony, which he took control of in 1924, the year before this composition; but he was also music publisher, a champion of new music who commisioned many works and, most relevant to the Duo, a virtuoso double bass player. The Duo was Roussel's way of congratulating Koussevitzky for becoming a Knight in the Legion of Honour. Koussevitzky later returned the favor by commissioning Roussel's Third Symphony as part of the grand celebration for the Boston Symphony's 50th anniversary. |
How does it sound?|
In form, the Duo is a set of variations on a theme from Roussel's lyric tale, La naissance de la lyre, written during the two years previous to the compostion of the Duo. Here are two sound clips, then, for the price of one. The first is the initial statement of the theme in the opera (114K WAV file), in which it characterizes the god Silene, father of the satyrs. It's easy to see why Roussel chose this deep-throated theme for the Duo.
The second sound clip is the statement of the theme in the duo, followed by a set of variations (94K). The jocular, good-natured character of the opera theme is maintained and even exaggerated in the Duo. |
Other opinions:|
This Duo opens with a very slow introduction, followed by an allegro, an andante and an allegretto. A smile of wit and humor. A true homage to a man of excellent taste. [Catalogue de l'oeuvre d'Albert Roussel]
...A charming musical joke, in which Roussel tempts the two instruments out of their bass register so that—as if King for a day—each may once play the melody. The double bass's astonishing harmonics deserve special attention. [Per Skans]
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