Contradanza Dei Lupi (score & parts) - 4BSN

Contradanza Dei Lupi (2004)
for four bassoons (or four contrabassoons!)
by Graham Waterhouse (b. 1962) - English composer and cellist

This work was written early in 2004 as a showcase for Guntram Wolf's newly developed Contraforte, which was being presented at a recital in Melbourne at the IDRS Conference. No fewer than four contrafortes were present at the conference. The piece is cast in a single Moderato movement, flanked by  slower, reflective Adagio passages. Due to the visceral tone of the instrument, so rich in both overtones, some of the chords are built up note by note giving the ear a chance to adjust to the texture. For similar reasons, many of the passages are lightly scored, or in unison.