Recommendations for the performance of selected bassoon excerpts in orchestral works

The bassoon is a woodwind instrument with a double reed. Although it is generally used in the orchestra to reinforce stringed instruments, its distinctive sound has also made it prominent as a excerpt instrument within the orchestra. Bassoon excerpts featured in orchestral pieces are frequently demanded from performers during orchestral auditions. Therefore, these excerpts hold significant importance for performers. For the orchestral excerpts, it is essential that they are interpreted in a manner consistent with the character and essence of the era in which they were composed. In this context, knowledge about the composer's life, the period they lived in, the character and narrative of the piece would provide crucial insights for the performer to interpret the excerpt accurately. Moreover, turning orchestral excerpts into technical and musical variations during practice aids performers in achieving a more comfortable and genuine rendition. In this study, information about selected bassoon excerpts that frequently appear in national and international orchestral auditions has been provided, accompanied by recommendations on their performance. Consequently, the aim of this research is to contribute to the Turkish literature in this domain. A literature review revealed that resources on the performance of bassoon excerpts in orchestral works occupy a limited space in existing documentation. The research synthesizes acquired bassoon excerpts from the literature and document prioritization method, life stories of the composers of these pieces, the periods they lived in, and the structural evolutions of the bassoon throughout these eras. Additionally, technical and musical recommendations for the performance of bassoon excerpts written for the orchestra have been presented. Keywords: Bassoon, Orchestra, Orchestral excerpts, Performance, Repertoire