Here’s an animated performance by a talented woodwind player who’s new to Colorado.
Bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann recently began teaching bassoon and chamber music at the University of Denver. The Estonia native’s resume includes his premiere of 11 bassoon concertos and a job as principal bassoonist of the Estonian Festival Orchestra.
Kuuskmann treated listeners to his rendition of one of Robert Schumann’s “Fantasy Pieces,” written in 1849, during a recent CPR Performance Studio session.
The piece’s bewitching melody, originally composed for clarinet, moves as though it’s climbing up and down a series of spiral staircases. Kuuskmann’s bassoon sounds almost forlorn as pianist Heidi Leathwood’s playing ebbs and flows in the background.
More exclusive music from the CPR Performance Studio:
- Anderson & Roe Piano Duo Plays Music by Gluck
- Cellist Jay Campbell Plays Bach In The CPR Performance Studio
- Cantus Sings Haunting Music By Ysaye Barnwell
- Boulder's Matthew Dane Blends Classical, Indian Sounds On The Viola D’Amore
- An Electric Performance by Boulder Bach Festival's 'Venice on Fire' Musicians
We’re lucky to have this performance on video -- especially if you’re used to seeing bassoonists sit nearly motionless in the woodwinds section at the symphony.
Watch the way Kuuskmann almost dances with his instrument as he makes his way through the piece. See it in the video link above.
