All three concertos on this album were written explicitly for the bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann and were premiered by him between 2002 and 2004.
Recording & Production
The three concertos on this album were recorded over an intense four-day period in August 2021 at the Estonia Concert Hall in Tallinn, Estonia.
Performer Biography
Martin Kuuskmann, a multiple Grammy-nominated Estonian bassoonist, balances his classical expertise with occasional forays into jazz, including collaborations with master improvisers John Patitucci and Joe Zawinul.
Compositional Technique
Tõnu Kõrvits's 'Beyond the Solar Fields' incorporates a field recording of a woman singing the Estonian folk song 'Helletus' and is scored for solo bassoon, orchestra, and tape.
Interpretation
To perform Eino Tamberg's Bassoon Concerto, Martin Kuuskmann had his bassoon altered by adding three keys to the upper register for greater agility.
Performer Biography
Mihhail Gerts, the conductor on this album, is the founder and artistic director of the TubIN festival, dedicated to promoting the music of 20th-century symphonic composer Eduard Tubin.
Performer Biography
Martin Kuuskmann, the bassoonist on this album, has had fifteen bassoon concertos written explicitly for him by various composers.
