Albany Records: Novelette: French Recital Music for Bassoon & Piano

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Music for bassoon and piano by French composers -- expertly performed by Timothy McGovern.

This recording covers more than 60 years of compositions and contains some of the very best French music for bassoon and piano. All but two of the composers were born in France and the two that were not (Tansman and Mihalovici) were profoundly influenced by French music and lived the majority of their lives in France. Bassooist Timothy McGovern is on the faculty at the University of Illinois, in addition to serviing as principal basson of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Sympony Orchestra, as well as being a member of the Prairie Winds Woodwind Quintet. The receipient of numerous awards and honors, McGovern's discography includes more than 30 recordings of orchestral, chamber music, and solo repertoire. Pianist Cara Chowning is on the faculty at Ball State University and has a very active career as a pianist and music director.

Eugène Bourdeau, composer
Andante
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Eugène Bozza, composer
Recit, Sicilienne et Rondo
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Adrien Barthe, composer
Andante, molto moderato
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Alexandre Tansman, composer
Suite pour Bassoon
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Maurice Ravel, composer
Pièce en Forme de Habanera
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Noël Gallon, composer
Recit et Allegro
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Marcel Mihalovici, composer
Novelette
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Gabriel Pierné, composer
Concertpiece, op. 35
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Philippe Gaubert, composer
Mouvement de Sicilienne
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Henri Busser, composer
Cantilene et Rondeau, op. 73
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Gabriel Grovlez, composer
Sicilienne et Allegro Giocoso
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Eugène Bourdeau, composer
Première Solo
Timothy McGovern (bassoon); Cara Chowning (piano)

Review:

"…We rarely think of the bassoon as a bel canto instrument, but the finest bassoonists do. David McGill, now retired principal bassoon of the Chicago Symphony, proudly stated that his musical idol was Maria Callas, and his playing reflected that taste. The same can be said for Timothy McGovern.…At the core of his playing is his ability to produce a long-spun cantabile, a true singing line. He also possesses a brilliant technique…This disc should appeal to an audience well beyond bassoonists or woodwind players." (Fanfare)

Music for bassoon and piano by French composers -- expertly performed by Timothy McGovern.

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