The bassoon concertos and contrabassoon concerto of Victor Bruns

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the four bassoon concertos and contrabassoon concerto of Victor Bruns (1904-1996), and in doing so to interest bassoonists in performing them. These works represent a body of repertoire for the bassoon that is unparalleled in the twentieth century. The political situation between the United States and East Germany during the Cold War prevented many of these works from being disseminated or performed in our country.|This study contains an introductory chapter and a biographical chapter. The next five chapters are devoted to each of the works examined. Information provided regarding each composition includes date of composition, dedication and/or commission, orchestration, approximate timing, date and performers of premiere, publication information, available recordings, known reviews, a structural analysis, and performance considerations.|The final chapter of conclusions discusses the five concertos regarding their overall formal structures, harmonic language, idiomatic writing for the bassoon, cadenzas, and orchestration, as well as suggestions for further study of this composer.