Henri Tomasi

Concerto

French composer and conductor, Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) published Concerto for Bassoon in 1957. As with his other wind compositions, Concerto for Bassoon was well-received byaudiences.

Tomasi was born in Marseille, but his Father and Mother were originally from La Casinca in Corsica. Despite being pressured in to musical studies by his parents, Tomasi dreamed of becominga sailor, and during the summer, he stayed with his Grandmother in Corsica where he learnt traditional Corsican songs. However, in 1921, he began his studies at the Paris Conservatoire and went on to become a high profilecomposerand conductor. Tomasi did not forget his Corsican routes, often incorporating into his compositions themes of the songs he had learnt during the summers with his Grandmother. The Concerto forBassoon is in three movements; 1) Andante and Allegro, 2) Serenade Nocturne, and 3) Final-Saltarelle. This Tomasi piece is suitable to advanced bassoonists, providing an exciting, alternative addition to theinstrument's repertoire.