Musical works

Each year, the works composed for the Paris Conservatoire competition are something of a lottery. Among the pieces Henri Büsser wrote for bassoon and piano in this context, Cantilène et Rondo must have come as a relief to the class of 1925, as it is less demanding than some of his other works, both in terms of virtuosity and range. Following the well-established two-part structure, this charming piece opens with an extended lyrical section that allows performers to showcase their musical expressiveness. A brief cadenza then leads into a lively rondo, where the saltarello-like rhythm provides an opportunity for bassoonists to demonstrate their technical prowess.