Bassoon Concertos

Currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music with John Orford, the nineteen-year-old Karen Geoghegan came to the attention of the British public late last year following her appearance on Classical Star, a BBC reality programme, where she was a finalist. She proved immensely popular with judges and the public alike and also brought much welcome attention to the bassoon which has generally been neglected as a solo instrument. This CD concentrates on repertoire performed on the show, with Hummel’s Bassoon Concerto as the centrepiece, complemented by Elgar’s Romance, Berwald’s rarely recorded Konzertstück, Weber’s Andante and Hungarian Rondo, Carl Jacobi’s Introduction and Polonaise, and a beautiful arrangement of Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’. The Orchestra of Opera North is conducted by Benjamin Wallfisch.