The Vienna based French bassoonist Sophie Dervaux continues her Vivaldi journey - completing the Bassoon Concerti step by step. She is the first female bassoonist of the famous Vienna Philharmonic. In this recording Dervaux is accompanied by La Folia Baroque Orchestra, which is one of the most important ensembles for historically informed perfomances on period instruments.
Sophie Dervaux, the first female bassoonist of the illustrious Vienna Philharmonic, continues her captivating exploration of Vivaldi's Bassoon Concerti. In this latest release, Dervaux masterfully continues her journey through Vivaldi's enchanting works, showcasing her exceptional talent and artistry. Accompanied by the esteemed La Folia Baroque Orchestra, renowned for their commitment to historically informed performances on period instruments, this album offers a fresh and authentic interpretation of Vivaldi's timeless compositions. The orchestra's expertise enhances Dervaux's virtuosic playing, bringing a vibrant energy and richness to each concerto.
Following on from her debut album impressions, featuring chamber music for bassoon and piano, bassoon player Sophie Dervaux is poised to release her second album on the Berlin Classics label. This album marks two premieres: in addition to this being the very first recording of the Concerto no. 2 in C major for bassoon and orchestra by Johann Baptist Vanhal, Ms Dervaux performs as both soloist and conductor of the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg. The recording of Mozart’s Concerto in B flat major for bassoon and orchestra was the starting point for this present album. It is acknowledged to be one of the most important works ever written for the wind instrument: composed in the Viennese Classical style, sophisticated and nuanced- and the only bassoon concerto by Mozart to have survived. “The Concerto in B flat major forms the basis for many bassoonists’ repertoire,” Sophie Dervaux explains, “and for that reason I have long waited to record the work – it is an important step along my career path and I faced up to it with respect.” What can be paired on an album alongside a work that enjoys the huge significance of Mozart’s bassoon concerto? Sophie Dervaux has chosen two composers who were close to Mozart and who share a common history with him. Vanhal and Hummel, like Mozart, all left their mark on the musical history of Vienna- the city in which Sophie Dervaux, as solo bassoonist with the Vienna Philharmonic has chosen to make her home.
Sophie Dervaux’s debut album on Berlin Classics is very much in the French tradition. Together with her French colleague, pianist Sélim Mazari, the bassoonist presents works on this concept album Impressions that are by composers of various eras, including Debussy, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, Fauré and Koechlin. The bassoon – unusually – takes the stage as a soloist and so fulfils the purpose that the Vienna Phil bassoonist had in mind: to present the unique singing sound of the instrument and enrich the world of the bassoon in the process. “A lot of people think of the bassoon as an amusing instrument. But it can be more than just the jolly clown. I wanted to show that it can sound wonderful and sing wonderfully too.” There is no doubt that Dervaux has proved her point on Impressions. Her repertoire brings together familiar and seldom heard pieces, and at times ushers its audience into a dream world. Among those pieces are Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Beau Soir, illustrating the tonal compass of the bassoon. Sophie Dervaux also presents the Sonata for bassoon and piano in G major, op. 168, written by Camille Saint-Saëns, in his old age. Great phrases and lines flow from Dervaux’s instrument in Fauré’s Après un rêve, and a piece she arranged herself, Pièce en forme d’habanera by Ravel, brings out the almost human voice of the instrument. These Impressionists are joined by theorist and composer Charles Koechlin with his Sonata, op.71. Going a step further, Reynaldo Hahn’s A Cloris and Roger Boutry’s Interferénces bridge the gap between old and new and introduce jazz influences. With her new album Impressions, Sophie Dervaux aims to show her audience what is special about the bassoon: its sound, and its virtuosity too.
