Bassoonist

Childlike joy accompanied by pomp and lots of solo passages: the exciting programme conducted by François Leleux gives our woodwind players a chance to shine in two works. The charming Sinfonietta by English composer Ruth Gipps was composed in 1989 and is full of magical colours. While still a student, but already possessing enormous artistry, Richard Strauss composed his charming Serenade in E-flat major in 1881, in which the young Munich composer's enthusiasm for Mozart is clearly evident – and one of Mozart's works is also featured in this programme: In an interpretative interplay with our solo bassoonist Rie Koyama, we present his well-loved concerto for the slenderly upright woodwind instrument. Mozart wrote it in 1774 at the age of 18, which is why it also spreads youthful freshness. In Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Opus 102 for oboe and orchestra, our guest conductor performs the solo part himself. It dates from 1824, begins with a melancholic introduction and then unfolds an airy theme that is the springboard for brilliant variations. The programme concludes with a magnificent piece by Ravel, whose 150th birthday is being celebrated by the music world this year. 

François Leleux, Rie Koyama

Bamberger Symphoniker

What does artificial intelligence (AI) sound like? Can you hear and feel when music has been composed by computer software rather than a human? And if so: are the differences more easily recognized through analysis or through emotional immersion, and how exactly do you determine them? This concert is an experimental setup. It puts extremes side by side.

Franz Ensemble

Schloss Schwetzingen

»Music of human breath, it creates a world of its own, conjured up by the sorcerous forces of sounds which, summoned by an imagination rich in visions, enter and pass through our earthly bodies all the way to the soul.« (Henri Sauguet) Our chamber concert offers delightful pieces for flute and bassoon: Vivaldi‘s trio sonata in A minor is a magnificent composition full of intricate sound cascades, but also of introspective moments with expansive cantilenas. The chamber trio in F major, also baroque, was composed by Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, who lived from 1663 to 1712 and came from a Leipzig family of town pipers: the melodic roles of flute and bassoon interact intensively on the harmonic foundation of the continuo – with expressive upswings and dynamic outbursts of virtuosity. Beethoven‘s trio is a precious early work from his Bonn days – where he confided to the Kurfürst about his early preoccupation with composing, that his muse whispered: »Just try it and jot down some of your soul‘s harmonies!« The piece was probably written around 1786 as chamber music for private use – and the passionate love for the daughter of a count‘s family might have been the impetus for the lush sounds that are interspersed throughout the otherwise very concerto-like progress of the work. Finally, Weber‘s enchanting G minor trio from 1819, when the composer was ill and obviously dealt with his mental suffering with music: the highly romantic composition is thus characterised in parts by deep melancholy, in particular in the pivotal Andante, which bears the title »Shepherd's Lament« – yet it captivates the listener with a very playful character in the framing movements.

Chamber Concert: Baroque music

Bamberg Concert Hall

It is always an immense pleasure for the musicians of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe to work with their long-standing friend and COE Honorary Member Sir András Schiff with whom they have performed 111 concerts since their first encounter in 1985 at the Lichfield Cathedral. To hear the whole story, and more, please listen to our interview with Sir András on the COE podcast here.

Bassoonist

Rie Koyama

Events

Past events

Nov 1, 2025

François Leleux, Rie Koyama · Bamberger Symphoniker

May 29, 2025

Franz Ensemble · SWR Symphonieorchester

Future and recently performed repertoire

Bassoon in Trio for Piano, Flute and Bassoon by Beethoven

Bamberger Symphoniker

Bassoon in Serenade in E-flat major by Strauss

Bamberger Symphoniker

Bassoon in Sonata for Recorder, Bassoon and Continuo by Vivaldi

Bamberger Symphoniker

Bassoon in Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra in B-flat major, KV 191 by Mozart

Bamberger Symphoniker

Bassoon in Introduction, Theme and Variations for Oboe and Orchestra by Hummel

Bamberger Symphoniker

About

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