history
The bassoon was first introduced as the four-piece instrument we have now in the late 17th century in France [1]. Before that, many shapes, sizes, and forms of the double-reeded instrument were played.
Just like any word in any language, there are many different words used for the bassoon. In Spanish, the bassoon is called a “bajon”, and in French, the bassoon is called a “fagot” [2]. Before we made it to the more modern bassoon shape we have now, there were small, tiny bassoons, smaller than a clarinet. The general shapes got bigger as the years went on, and now we are left with the instrument we have now.
Just like any word in any language, there are many different words used for the bassoon. In Spanish, the bassoon is called a “bajon”, and in French, the bassoon is called a “fagot” [2]. Before we made it to the more modern bassoon shape we have now, there were small, tiny bassoons, smaller than a clarinet. The general shapes got bigger as the years went on, and now we are left with the instrument we have now.
famous bassoonists
Even if you have never heard of the bassoon before this website, it doesn’t mean nobody else has. Just like there are famous singers and actors, there are famous bassoonists. Two popular bassoonists of today are Klaus Thunemann and Milan Turkovic. They are considered to be possibly the two best known bassoonists of all time. Below are pictures for each musician, as well as small biographies and some of their accomplishments.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/9/5/26957432/192647261.jpg)
Milan Turkovic was born in 1939 in Croatia [5]. He made a decision early in his career that he wanted to focus on the bassoon. Over the years, he has helped make over 200 orchestral recordings during his long career. He has also co-authored three books about music and has also written a few books of his own [6]. More recently, Turkovic has taught lessons, conducted orchestras, and made more recordings for all of us to enjoy [7].
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/9/5/26957432/844230214.jpg)
Born in Germany in 1937, Klaus Thunemann is thought of by many as being the “greatest bassoonist of all time” [3]. He has, arguably, made more recordings than any other bassoonist. Also, he teaches classes and lessons on bassoon, and in 2006 received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany [4].