Search - Luigi Cherubini, Arcangelo Corelli, Francesco Geminiani :: Little Tunes for the Big Bassoon

Fun CD

Gary Morrison | Austin, TX United States | 02/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's probably fair to say that this is Susan Nigro's most popularistic CD. Both "Little" and "Tunes" from the title are aptly chosen. These certainly aren't monumental works, but fun, pleasant tunes. That's largely true of her other CDs too, but this one more so. In this case, that includes several cute, jazzy tunes, like "Take Five." If you're looking for profound works, this is not the CD for you, but if you want something light-hearted, this is it.Speaking in generalities about Nigro's performance, it's pretty clear that she's a very capable performer, and this particular CD does a good job of showing off flashy technique, such as in Bozza's "Burlesque." Yes, I did say "flashy technique"; the contrabassoon is an amazingly agile instrument.My only concern about Susan Nigro's performance here and in her other CDs regards her tone. It's a good tone to be sure, so I wouldn't let that dissuade you from buying her CDs. Still, it doesn't strike me as bassoon-family enough. Expecially at high volumes in the middle and low registers, it sounds a tad too saxophone-like for my personal tastes. A saxophone sound is fine, provided that it comes from a saxophone! Her upper-register sound, on the other hand, especially at lower volumes, is quite sweet and beautiful. The slow, lyrical middle section of that same Bozza "Burlesque" shows that well."

One of my least essential but most played CD's!

William F. Long | St. Charles, MO USA | 10/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Turn up the bass response on your CD player for some good Brobdingnagian fun. Susan Nigro is a master of her big old instrument & it's good to see her step out from the bassoon section for this outing."

My first contra bassoon

Saturn V | Bensenville, Illinois USA | 02/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The bassoon is one of my two top favorite instruments, the French horn being the other. A contra bassoon was truly a new experience for me and unlike other bassoons in nature. (This coming from a non-musically skilled person.)

I am interested in other works by this artist and will most likely buy some in the future.

One annoying point to me, if I am correct in the source, is the clapping or background noise from the pads openning and closing. Am I correct on this?

Distracting to me and hopefully not consistent with other similar recordings.

This cd in general was fun and very enjoyable overall. It sounds like the artist had a good time recording it."