Vivaldi – 6 Bassoon Concertos

Just as George Frideric Handel was crowned “creator of the organ concerto”, Antonio Vivaldi (1687 – 1741) may also in good conscience be singled out as “pioneer of the bassoon concerto”. Like its predecessor, the dulcian, the bassoon was used exclusively as a basso continuo instrument until the beginning of the 17th century. It provided a solid basis for the sound and the harmonies, and as it was rarely used in ensembles, its part was not even written out at the time. Then in 1645, Giovanni Antonio Bertoli published in Venice nine decidedly virtuoso sonatas for bassoon and basso continuo. Not only was this probably the earliest collection of works consisting exclusively of solo sonatas, it was also a significant milestone for the emancipation of the bassoon.