Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
CD Description
For her first CD with Chandos, it was decided to focus on the repertoire performed for the show. Hummel's Bassoon Concerto, the centrepiece of the album, is complemented by Elgar's Romance, Berwald's rarely recorded Konzertstück, Weber's Andante and Hungarian Rondo, Carl Jacobi's Introduction and Polonaise and a beautiful arrangement of Gershwin's Summertime. Each work demonstrates Karen's ability as a performer of outstanding quality. Benjamin Wallfisch conducts the Orchestra of Opera North.
About the Artist
Currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music with John Orford, nineteen-year-old Karen Geoghegan came to the attention of the British public late last year following her appearance as a finalist on Classical Star, a BBC reality programme. She proved immensely popular with the public and judges alike, and brought much needed attention to the bassoon, which has generally been neglected as a solo instrument. The cellist Matthew Barley who was mentor and presenter of the show says of Karen, with her sound and focus she is already one of the great wind players in the country. Chandos Managing Director, Ralph Couzens, was so impressed by Karen's performance that he contacted Karen the day following the broadcast, and offered her a contract.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This brilliantly talented young bassoon player gives the instrument, traditionally referred to as the "clown of the orchestra", a new dimension and dexterity. The bassoon is shown to display a more subtle humour, versatility and changes in emotional intensity. The highlight is probably Weber's Andante and Rondo but the pieces by Hummel, Berwald and Jacobi show, in the hands of a genuine and sympathetic virtuoso, just what the bassoon is capable of. The five minute Romance, composed by Sir Edward Elgar is a little gem and Karen's rendition of "Summertime" has a "saxophonesque" quality to it. An absolute delight, I cannot recommend it too highly.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Leo Jewel
Format:Audio CD
Karen Geoghegan has well and truly brought the bassoon out of the shadows of the orchestral ranks to record a fantastic debut album. It has it all - fireworks, beautiful singing tone, fabulous control with great attention to detail.
Karen has been able to give her bassoon-playing a quality that at times sounds with the richness of a trombone, at other times with a tone like a saxaphone or clarinet. With such versatility it is wonder we are not all more familiar with the instrument and its repertoire.
The Opera North Orchestra and Benjamin Wallfisch have worked together to provide a sensitive backdrop to this outstanding performer.
I very much hope Chandos will be encouraged to ask this star performer to share more of the bassoon repertoire with us all soon.
Karen has been able to give her bassoon-playing a quality that at times sounds with the richness of a trombone, at other times with a tone like a saxaphone or clarinet. With such versatility it is wonder we are not all more familiar with the instrument and its repertoire.
The Opera North Orchestra and Benjamin Wallfisch have worked together to provide a sensitive backdrop to this outstanding performer.
I very much hope Chandos will be encouraged to ask this star performer to share more of the bassoon repertoire with us all soon.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Blinkam
Format:Audio CD
Karen's playing is instantly recognisable as her own. She is a "once in a century" bassoon player with outstanding musicality, sound and technique. The energy she puts into her playing just makes you sit up and listen, even if (and this is not the case here) the music is not worth listening to in itself. I have never been excited about bassoon music before, but Karen has certainly changed this.
An incredible and rare talent.
An incredible and rare talent.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karen is great
I bought this CD for the Hummel bassoon concerto which is wonderful. Karen puts so much life into it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bluebottle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
A brillant and talented star who makes this difficult instrument sing. All to often this instrument is relegated to baseline music but she revives this underestimated instrument by... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Stu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enchanting
The bassoon is such a neglected instrument and Karen plays it beautifully on this album. I particularly love the rendition of Summertime. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by Default
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
