de Guise, Jean François – Bassoon Quintet for Bassoon and String Quartet op. 17, No. 12

Guise Jean François de
Bassoon Quintet for Bassoon and String Quartet
op. 17, No. 12

Dedicating a piece to a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, who is also his own mentor, shows on the one hand the great gratitude and appreciation for the friend and teacher, but on the other hand sets the bar for the assessment particularly high, since comparisons with the works of Elliott Carter do not increase are to be avoided.
Jean François de Guise shows that techniques learned and the influence exercised by teachers do not necessarily lead to the original being copied. The independent tonal language and the use of the extended 12-tone technology allow Jean François de Guise to develop something of his own and yet show his mentor respect.
The bassoon, which has a special position here not only because it belongs to its own family of instruments, is played as an active soloist in the piece. The string quartet not only accompanies, but also gives the work its own accents and twists, which the bassoon repeatedly joins. If you analyze the work, you will see that it actually represents a small “concert”.
As almost always with compositions by Jean François de Guise, the focus is on the sound, which makes careful work on structure and intonation essential. The result that can be achieved, however, justifies any effort and shows that there is always something new to discover.

Bassoon, 2 violins, viola, cello
Score & parts / 67 pages