Study for "Metamorphosis": Bassoon Book

Name: Study for "Metamorphosis": Bassoon Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 12-0571536573
Price: 16.99 USD
Availability: InStock

For Solo Bassoon

By Oliver Knussen

Level: Advanced

Item: 12-0571536573

$16.99

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Study for Metamorphosis for solo bassoon was composed by Oliver Knussen in the early 1970s but was withdrawn and later revised by the composer in 2018. Two earlier versions of the piece exist: an incomplete copy of the work's earliest incarnation entitled Study in Metamorphosis---dated 1972---and a revised version from 1973, which uses the current title.

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Series: Faber Edition

Publisher: Faber Music

Page Count: 12

ISBN10: 0-571-53657-3

ISBN13: 978-0-571-53657-3

UPC: 9780571536573

SKU: 12-0571536573

More about this title

About the Composer: Oliver Knussen

Oliver Knussen (1952–2018) was a British composer and conductor whose work bridged the modernist and post-modernist worlds with remarkable lyrical intelligence. He held the position of associate conductor of the London Sinfonietta and later served on the faculty at Tanglewood, where he championed new music and mentored emerging composers. His catalogue spans operas, concertos, and chamber works characterized by intricate orchestration, refined craftsmanship, and a deep engagement with 20th-century compositional techniques.

Knussen's approach to composition was notably deliberate; he revised works across decades, sometimes withdrawing pieces entirely to rethink them. This commitment to revision reflects his exacting standards and his belief that a work should reveal itself fully only when the composer's vision has matured. Study for "Metamorphosis" exemplifies this philosophy, emerging first as a sketch in 1972 before crystallizing into its definitive form nearly half a century later.

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Why we love this

Knussen's solo writing for woodwinds is unflinching in its demands yet enormously rewarding. This study presents a genuine technical challenge wrapped in music that transforms what could be mere exercise into a compelling artistic statement. Advanced bassoonists will find a work that respects their artistry while pushing them into new territory.

What to expect

The work unfolds as a meditation on metamorphosis itself, moving through shifting harmonic and textural landscapes. Moments of lyrical beauty emerge alongside passages of angular, introspective writing that challenge the ear and the hand equally.

Who it's for

Advanced bassoonists seeking substantial solo repertoire that engages contemporary techniques and expressive demands. This study suits recital performers, conservatory students preparing for competitions or degree requirements, and professional orchestral musicians looking to expand their solo voice.

How to get the most out of it

Attend closely to Knussen's dynamic markings and articulation specifications; they are integral to the piece's transformative character rather than surface details.
Treat the work as a study in tonal control across the instrument's full range; the writing exploits both the bassoon's lyrical warmth and its capacity for sharp definition.
Allow time for the musical ideas to breathe, particularly where the texture thins. Knussen favors clarity of line over momentum.

How to use it

Program this alongside other 20th-century solo works to create a curated recital focused on modernist approaches to wind instruments. It also serves effectively as a centerpiece in contemporary music festivals or as a competition showcase piece for advanced students.