The bassoon, once relegated to background accompaniment, began to emerge as a solo instrument during the 18th century.
The Merel Quartet's debut album was described by the NZZ am Sonntag as 'the phenomenal CD debut of a first-rate quartet'.
Matthias Rácz, the bassoonist on this album, began his musical education at age six on piano and at age ten on bassoon.
The Merel Quartet, founded in Zurich in 2002, is praised for its versatility and keen stylistic awareness, with a repertoire spanning three centuries.
Matthias Rácz won first prize at both the International Prague Spring Competition and the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 2002.
At just 21 years old, Matthias Rácz became principal bassoonist in the Gürzenich Orchestra / Kölner Philharmoniker.
Matthias Rácz is currently Professor of Bassoon at the College of Music and Theatre in Zurich.
