Two concerts celebrate the bassoon

The Zhejiang Bassoon Ensemble, a newly founded group featuring esteemed musicians from leading Zhejiang art institutions, held two concerts on Saturday and Sunday. The concerts, held at the esteemed Zhejiang Concert Hall and Deqing Grand Theatre, marked the ensemble's official debut and showcased their dedication to promoting the bassoon in China.

The ensemble, which boasts members from the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Ningbo Symphony Orchestra and Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, was formed in 2024, with a mission to popularize and elevate the bassoon among Chinese audiences.

The concerts featured a diverse repertoire, including Western classical pieces such as Carl Maria von Weber's March of the Gnomes, Josef Strauss' Ohne Sorgen!, Op 271 and Michele Mangani's The Dancing Doll, in the first half.

The second half of the concerts showcased the ensemble's versatility with adaptations of popular works. These included a captivating rendition of the Chinese pop song Lonely Warrior and the renowned Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away theme song, Always With Me, composed by Joe Hisaishi.

Further enriching the cultural experience, the ensemble performed Ji Cang Hai, an original composition featuring the traditional haozi singing of Zhejiang's Zhoushan fishermen. This piece served as a poignant tribute to the local culture of Zhejiang.

With these inaugural concerts, the Zhejiang Bassoon Ensemble has taken a significant step toward achieving its goal of popularizing the bassoon and fostering a deeper appreciation for this unique instrument among Chinese audiences.