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Karen Geoghegan plays Bassoon Concertos
Johan Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Grand Concerto W23 for Bassoon and Orchestra in F major [23:45];
Carl Maria von WEBER
(1786-1826) Andante e Rondo ungarese Op 35 in C minor [9:08];
Franz BERWALD
(1796-1868)
Concert Piece in F major [11:10];
Carl Heinrich JACOBI
(1791-1852) Introduction and Polonaise Op 9 [9:00];
Sir Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Romance Op 62 [5:13];
George GERSHWIN
(1898-1937) Summertime [4:36]
Karen Geoghegan (bassoon)
Orchestra of Opera North/Benjamin Wallfisch
rec. 9-10 January 2008, St George’s Hall, Bradford. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10477 [51:46]

Sound Samples:
Hummel
Berwald
Gershwin

Experience Classicsonline

 

The nineteen year-old Karen Geoghegan was discovered as a result of her participation in the 2007 BBC television series, ‘Classical Star’. Since such shows aren’t really my cup of tea I didn’t see the programmes. However, as a former bassoonist myself, and knowing that the instrument isn’t exactly regarded as "box office" I was intrigued that a bassoonist had prospered in that series. From the evidence of this CD Miss Geoghegan thoroughly deserves her success.

From her recent interview with my colleague, Carla Rees, it seems that Karen Geoghegan became a bassoonist almost by accident because her school had an instrument available and needed someone to try to play it. The same thing happened to me and I wonder how many players of the more recherché instruments have started in a similar way. Clearly Karen Geoghegan was eminently suited to the instrument; one would scarcely credit that she’s been playing it for only about seven years.

The contents of this disc have been shrewdly chosen. A couple of the pieces – the Hummel and the Gershwin arrangement – were featured in the television series. For the rest, Karen Geoghegan has wisely not just chosen pieces that allow her to display different facets of her talent and the instrument’s capabilities but also she’s largely avoided anything too familiar – with the possible exception of the Elgar – thereby increasing the appeal of the CD.

It’s clear from the word go that she possesses a first rate technique and also an enviable cantabile tone. This latter skill is especially evident in the Gershwin arrangement, which makes a good encore. Here she is required to play in the highest register for much of the time and employs a suitably bluesy sound. Actually, the piece is more than just an arrangement of Gershwin’s music. The second half, where there’s more chance for display by the soloist, uses the tune as the basis for some variants. It’s almost a mini-fantasia on Gershwin’s tune and it’s most enjoyable.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. The most substantial item is the Hummel concerto, which I’m ashamed to say I don’t recall hearing before. It ought to be much better known for it’s a most engaging piece and one that, as Calum McDonald points out in his excellent notes, shows the influence of Mozart’s concertos. The soloist has to work hard in the first movement, where Hummel provides a good mix of demanding passagework and pleasing singing lines. Karen Geoghegan responds with playing that always sounds stylish; she takes every offered opportunity for display but her playing is also graceful where required. The technique is clearly rock solid. One small example will suffice: at 9:44 there’s a short passage where the soloist plays quick up- and-down scales but every note also drops the octave. It must be very difficult to execute but it sounds effortless here.

In the second movement Hummel, like Mozart before him, exploits the bassoon’s cantabile capabilities in "soulfully lyrical mood". Miss Geoghegan’s instrument sings delightfully. The finale is a good-humoured dance in compound time. I love Calum MacDonald’s description of it as having "the character of a country dance, though Hummel’s peasants manifest a touch of urban elegance and sophistication." The music gambols along charmingly. Karen Geoghegan turns in a most mature performance of the entire concerto and I enjoyed it very much.

The Weber piece is an arrangement of a work for viola and orchestra that he originally wrote for his brother to play. The bassoon arrangement postdates his Bassoon Concerto. The Andante is a theme followed by three variations. The Rondo, despite its title, doesn’t have a pronounced Hungarian flavour – not much goulash here! However, it’s a very pleasing jeu d’esprit and in this winning performance one gets the impression that all the musicians are enjoying themselves. The solo part requires increasing agility as the Rondo progresses and Karen Geoghegan is fully up to the challenge.

The Berwald work is in three linked sections. The opening Allegro combines liveliness and elegance. Berwald writes well for the instrument and is not afraid to take his soloist up into the upper reaches of the bassoon’s compass. The central Andante is based on the tune of the verse of the song ‘Home Sweet Home’, which was then fairly newly written To conclude there’s a jolly recapitulation of earlier material. This is another attractive piece that’s given a fine performance here.

The name of Carl Heinrich Jacobi was completely new to me but it seems from the notes that he was a noted virtuoso of the bassoon in early nineteenth century Germany who also composed extensive amounts of music for his instrument. The slow introduction is quite short and the Polonaise occupies most of the work’s duration. The piece has a certain melodious attractiveness and I imagine it’s good fun to play – though only expert players need apply! That said, I found it to be pretty empty as a piece of music and, though it’s very well played it made no great impression on me.

Probably the piece in this programme that’s best known outside the bassoon fraternity is Elgar’s Romance. This is an early work and it belongs with his lighter music. However, like so many other of his lighter pieces, it’s very far from being "mere" light music. It’s one of Elgar’s many sophisticated miniatures and this one is permeated with more than a hint of melancholy. It’s performed here with a nice light touch but it’s also treated with the seriousness that it merits.

On the evidence of this disc Karen Geoghegan is a most accomplished player and also a thoroughly musical performer. I suspect – and hope – that she has a bright future ahead of her and this attractive and enjoyable debut disc is an excellent start to her professional career. I gather from the interview with Carla Rees there are to be at least two more Chandos CDs. If the repertoire hasn’t been settled yet I hope Miss Geoghegan will consider the Weber concerto and it would also be interesting to hear her in Gordon Jacob’s concerto, though I think I’m right in saying that Chandos already have a version of that in their catalogue.

Inevitably in a disc such as this the focus is bound to be on the soloist. However, it would be very wrong indeed not to praise the sterling support that is provided by Benjamin Wallfisch – another member of that remarkable musical family - and the Orchestra of Opera North. Chandos have provided excellent sound and the release is further distinguished by lively and informative notes. I hope that this entertaining disc will find the wide audience that this excellent young musician deserves.

John Quinn

 

See also review by Carla Rees June RECORDING OF THE MONTH

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