Three's Company

Listen to a sample from Amundson's Three's Company. Designed as a showcase for the bassoon section, this work exploits the bassoon's three-octave plus range, its well-known comic personality, and its beautiful, lyric qualities. Three's Company was composed in 2002 and revised in 2006. It was designed to highlight the fun-loving character of the bassoon. The three bassoon solos each explore the entire 3-plus octave register of this wonderful, jocular instrument. The syncopated character of the opening allegro, which seems to suit the bassoon, is contrasted with a slow ballad in which the most famous bassoon solo from the orchestral literature (Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring) is hinted at and soon more fully realized in a loving bassoon trio gently accompanied by solo strings. A short development ensues based on motives from the A section, and a return of that section culminates with a robust coda.  

"I am pleased to have written a piece that celebrates one of my favorite orchestral instruments. It pays tribute to the many amazing bassoonists who have taken the time and care to learn this complicated and difficult instrument." Steven Amundson

Performance note:  Care should be taken to achieve excellent balance with the solo bassoons.  A reduced string section of 5-5-4-3-2 (desks) is recommended.  Fewer strings will work fine, but preferably not less than 3-3-2-2-1.

5 min 16 sec
Instrumentation: 3 bassoons, strings, drum set