Bassoon recital presented Sept. 29

Bassoonist Jon Beebe will present a faculty recital on Thursday, Sept. 29, at Appalachian State University.

The program begins at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

Beebe is a member of the Hayes School of Music faculty. He will be accompanied by pianist Christina Hayes.

“The bassoon is traditionally surrounded by an orchestra and rises out every now and then for a brief passage. To be out there performing full time requires a different mindset,” Beebe said.

Beebe chose a program that features classical and contemporary compositions written specifically for bassoon. “The recital has a lot of variety for the audience with different types of music from classical to experimental and contemporary, but compositions that are all accessible to the audience,” he said.

The recital opens with François Devienne’s “Sonata in B-flat.” Devienne was a professor of flute at the Paris Conservatory during the 18th century. He was a prolific composer, writing primarily for wind instruments, including sonatas and concertos for bassoon.

Beebe also will perform “für Spielen” composed by fellow Hayes School of Music faculty member Scott R. Meister. The piece, which translates to “For Fun,” is described as very experimental, but playful. Beebe said the piece calls for the musician to play the bassoon in a nontraditional manner. “It’s a fun, explorative piece,” he said.

The program ends with David Maslanka’s “Sonata.”

Beebe said, “Maslanka is one of the most prominent and most performed American composers. His composition is melodic and very appealing. It is one of the new major works for bassoon and considered a landmark composition.”