For Bassoon Quartet (3 Bassoons and contrabassoon)
Prior to the Age of Enlightenment in 17th and 18th century Europe, cabinets of curiosities were curated collections of objects from the natural or ancient world that appeared to be special, unique, or otherwise compelling. At a time when conversation was a primary form of entertainment, these collections gave their owners opportunities to shape conversation, delighting their friends and family with an assortment of interesting things. These could include gems, flowers, animal skins, shells, fossils, art, and more — anything that could inspire curiosity.
Cabinet of Curiosities is a work for bassoon quartet that embodies this practice of curating a collection. From the sheer scale of the swordfish skeleton to the uncanny way that ridges of bismuth develop, Cabinet of Curiosities is an opportunity to examine the peculiar in musical vignettes, each inspired by objects within an imagined collection of the wondrous.
You can purchase the score for Cabinet of Curiosities from Trevco Music Publishing.