A pedagogical work for bassoon and piano, Breakthrough is deliberately composed entirely in tenor clef. Designed to fill the gap in bassoon literature in developing the instrument’s highest typical range, Breakthrough pushes its performer to explore controlling this range in a safe, measured way before embarking on some of the most difficult and taxing repertoire available to bassoonists. Built on an aesthetic that combines the harmonic and formal tropes of musical theatre with the melodic sensibilities of Owl City, Breakthrough is a pastoral work that evokes a sense of relaxation in the midst of much more challenging music utilizing this part of the bassoon’s range. Equally an opportunity to encourage fluency in reading tenor clef and an exercise in melodic playing in bassoon’s highest tenor range, Breakthrough both challenges students and delights audiences.
Breakthrough was commissioned by Laura Bennett Cameron for the 2024 International Double Reed Society Conference in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. Due to unforeseen circumstances, its premiere has been postponed and the work will not be featured at the conference.
Breakthrough is coming soon from Trevco Music Publishing.