related works
Eigen-wijsje Nº 2 (Wildlife) : for piano / Rieteke Hölscher
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Piano
Scoring:
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Toccata : voor fagot en piano, 1989 / Kees Olthuis
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bassoon and keyboard instrument
Scoring:
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Zuurstof (Oxygen): Level B : for bassoon and piano / Rieteke Hölscher
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bassoon and keyboard instrument
Scoring:
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Echoes of Time : for bassoon and piano / Chiel Meijering
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Bassoon and keyboard instrument
Scoring:
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composition
Zuurstof (Oxygen) : for baroque bassoon and harpsichord / Rieteke Hölscher
Other authors:
Hölscher, Rieteke
(Composer)
Description:
When I was asked to write a mandatory competition work for a bassoon festival with the theme 'sustainability', I almost immediately thought of 'oxygen'. After all, what is more sustainable than oxygen? In the Cambridge Dictionary you can read: "Oxygen [O]: a chemical element that is a gas with no smell or colour. Oxygen forms a large part of the air on earth, and is needed by animals and plants to live". This definition shows that it is essential for all life on earth. In addition, enough oxygen is required for the performers (especially the bassoonist) to play this piece.
The most relevant meaning of sustainability in this context is 'something that will last'. A good example of an infinite life cycle is photosynthesis, in particular the exchange of oxygen between humans and plants.
The music is written in an ABA form, with the Senza Misura part referring to the inhalation, returning after a faster, more rhythmic part (the exhalation), as a symbol of such a sustainable life cycle.
Rieteke Hölscher