Fantaisie

To this day, Eugene Bozza (1905-1991) remains one of the most prolific composers for wind instruments, despite being a violinist himself. His Fantasy for bassoon and piano is no exception to the composer's success. During his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, Bozza won prizes for violin, conducting and composition, as well as the Grand Prix de Rome. He then conducted the orchestra of the Opera-Comique and became Head of the Conservatoire in Valenciennes, whilst remaining a prominent composer. Composed in 1945, Bozza's Fantasy for bassoon and piano is a virtuosic work, addressing advanced features including complex rhythms, chromaticism, a wide range and articulation. As music educationalist, Paul Griffiths has written of Bozza's compositions, "his works reveal melodic fluency, elegance of structure and a consistently sensitive concern of instrumental capabilities."