Of the more than 500 concertos written by Vivaldi, some 39 were for bassoon, a staggering number to be sure, but not so unusual a one for this workaholic composer. After all, he wrote 253 for solo violin! But the bassoon was his second choice, outpacing the cello, oboe, flute, and all other solo instruments.

This Concerto E minor was written for performance at Venice's Ospedale della Pietà, a home for orphaned and indigent girls, where he served intermittently in various positions. Cast in three movements, the work is quite challenging. The Allegro Poco first movement opens with the strings stating the busy, serious main theme, after which the bassoon presents its version of it, and then goes on to offer some interesting development of the material, as well as share much lively interplay with the strings. The ensuing Andante is somber throughout the short introduction, given by the strings, but the mood turns warmer and more lyrical when the bassoon enters. If this instrument has struck listeners as sour-sounding in the past, they may change their view of it after hearing this lovely movement. The finale is lively and, once again, quite busy. Still, it is lighter than the first movement, but the bassoon writing is just as challenging and the interplay just as finely imagined.

© All Music Guide