soloist, 2+picc.1+eh.1+bcl.0bsn+cbn.sop sax. alto sax.tenor sax./2.3.1+btbn. tuba. 4perc/ hp*/piano
* Harp is optional
(Percussion requirements are not large)
**In cases where this concerto is played by Baritone Saxophone, the player should raise by one octave Bb1 and B1 notes, which are too low for Baritone Saxophone.
Premiered by the State University of New York at Fredonia Wind Ensemble conducted by Paula Holcomb with Nadina Mackie Jackson, bassoon soloist at SUNY Fredonia, 30 April 2022
Duration: 13 minutes or 23 minutes (The shorter version omits the slow middle movement and one panel of music from the third section, which third section is is in a fast tempo.)
Premiere of the Baritone Saxophone version by the Oklahoma State University Symphonic Band conducted by Bradley Genevro with Phil Pierick baritone saxophone soloist at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference 14 March 2024.
Premiere of the Trombone version by the University of Oklahoma Wind Symphony conducted by Dr. Shanti Simons with William Lang trombone soloist in the Sharp Concert Hall, Norman, OK. 23 February 2025.
Finnish premiere of the Bassoon version presented by Finland Music Nova. The Guards Band conducted by Taavi Oramo with Kari Tikkala bassoon soloist in Helsinki, Finland. 6, Febryary 2025
Premiere of the Euphonium version is TBD
FOR THE SHORTER 13-MINUTE VERSION:
THERE ARE TWO CUTS:
#1: CUT BARS 198 through 395 - re-enter on 396
#2: CUT BARS 547 through 617 - re-enter on 618
To this second cut, there are three nuances:
University of Illinois Wind Symphony. Ben Roidl-Ward, bassoon; Kevin M. Geraldi, conductor
CARNIVAL world premiere
“Inspired by prose and poem, myth and lore, philosophy and religion, modern dance and jazz improvisation, Thomas’ composition is informed by layers of drawings, charts, and colorful visual artistry.”
— R.J. Weick from her Feature Article in Great Lakes By Design Magazine.
In CARNIVAL, Thomas takes her listener and her musicians on a journey. With a compelling organic self-propulsion and vibrant inner life, the music is colorful, clean, witty, and intentional.
Thomas played trumpet for 14 years and grew up playing in the Wind Ensemble and band. Thus, she has an affinity for and understanding of the instrumentation from the inside out. You can hear that she heard every note and that every dynamic and articulation was sculpted.
Relatively speaking, bassoon concerti are rare. CARNIVAL shows off different attributes of the instrument and soloist with inventive music that seamlessly embraces lyrical, jazzy, spirited, stately, expressive, and many other qualities. This music is fun to play because it is engaging to bring to life Thomas’ distinctive, personal, clever sonic-storytelling.
BBC Music Magazine, Recording Of The Month, May 2024
A BOX OF RESPLENDENT MUSICAL TREASURES
Kate Wakeling basks in the glow of this shimmering collection of recent works.
"Among many highlights, Carnival (2022) also stands out, framed here as a concerto for bassoon ‘locking horns’ with a wind ensemble. Soloist Nadina Mackie Jackson gives an especially rollicking performance and her strident solo line is met with stinging retorts from SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble (conducted with flair by Paula Holcomb) in this exhilaratingly spiky work."
To obtain examination or performance material for this
Augusta Read Thomas work, please contact Nimbus Music Publishing.
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