Sonata for Bassoon and Piano by Ulysses Kay (United States) *English Version.
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Hi everyone! Today our musical trip take us to a beautiful travel to the African-American culture and leads us to discover a secret piece hidden for 50 years.
The sonata for bassoon and piano by the composer Ulysses Kay begins with the piano who makes the exposition of the theme that is complemented by the bassoon, the piece evolves as the bassoon and the piano develop small variations of the theme, slowly the sonata arrives in a climax.
The bassoon begins to play with all its register accompanied by a great sound, suddenly calm comes in contrast to the piece, the bassoon with long phrases and pianissimo creates a new sound atmosphere that gives the feeling that it has come to an end.
After a complete silence the piano makes a Reexposition of the main theme together with the bassoon, but this time the work is concluding in an extensive melody that little by little dies in a piano, and with an almost imperceptible accompaniment it comes to an end.
In conclusion to the sonata for bassoon and piano we can perceive that it is undoubtedly a fascinating work of the 20th century, showing us a modernism and an unusual proposal when cataloging the piece as a sonata, although this work was inspired by the sonata for bassoon and piano by Paul Hindemith, we can appreciate small subtle moments of harmony changes linked to jazz.
This work was written in 1941 when the composer Ulysses Kay was studying with the famous composer Paul Hindemith at Yale University and was published in 1950 as a manuscript, although a few years later it was withdrawn from his catalog of works; unbelievably after 50 years this magnificent sonata comes out to the public.
On this occasion we hear the version of the bassoonist Lecolion Washington and the pianist Mark Ensley, which is included in his Album "Legacy" dedicated to works for bassoon written by African-American composers, its realise was in 2008 by Albany Records obtaining great success.
Ulysses Kay
Composer
Maestro Ulysses Kay was born in 1917 in Tucson, Arizona (USA), and died in 1995 in Englewood, New Jersey; He was an outstanding American composer and great exponent of the neoclassical musical school, he was the nephew of the renowned New Orleans jazz trumpeter King Oliver.
When he was child played the saxophone, continuing his musical education in composition, piano and violin, he studied at the University of Arizona (1938), then at the Eastman School of Music (1940), as well as at Yale University (with maestro Paul Hindemith), at Columbia University and at the Berkshire Music Center.
After Second World War, he moved to New York, dedicated himself to the production of works for Chamber Music, Orchestra, Cinema and he was professor at Lehman College, New York University.
Lecolion Washington
Bassoonist
Maestro Lecolion Washington is a prominent bassoonist in the United States recognized for his great musical work over the years as a performer, professor, and artistic entrepreneur,
He is an Executive Director of the Boston Community Music Center, as well as was Chairman of the Chamber Music America 2020 Conference Planning Committee.
He has received various distinctions throughout his career including the "2019 Musical America's Top Professional of the Year honoring Innovators" award, celebrated as a "Creator of Change" at Boston HUBWEEK 2020.
As a bassoonist, he has played in various concert halls in the world such as the United States, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, and Switzerland, among others.
Thank you very much for joining me on this very special musical trip knowing through music a great African American composer and a beautiful interpretation of an ambassador of African American bassoon music!
See you next week on another musical trip across America!
Jonaira Rosero
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