leviathan
music from the deep
A selection of music for the rarely heard Contrabassoon
The Leviathan project aims to introduce music written for the largest woodwind instrument to a wider audience.
Peter Wesley’s recording Music from the Deep, with the pianist Liivi Arder, was released by Birnam on 20th February 2021 to mark the centenary of Ruth Gipps, composer of the title track. Much of the music chosen has been inspired by Peter’s teacher, John Burness, who always believed the Contrabassoon deserved a little more limelight
Also included are repertoire lists and other useful resources for the aspiring Contrabassoonist, as well as information about the Doune Bassoon Quartet and JB.
Leviathan
Ruth Gipps wonderful evocation of a ‘Monster from the Deep’
Miniature Suite
Four charming movements by Ralph Nicholson, originally commissioned by the American Contrabassoonist Susan Nigro
Arioso
The soulful melody by 19th century bassoonist Julius Weissenborn
Blues
Martin Willis adds some percussion pizazz to this lively piece by the New Zealand composer Michael Burns
The Ploughboy
These entertaining variations are by Josef Holbrooke, father of the bassoonist Gwydion Brooke
Norwegian Sonatine
Terje Lerstadt combines neo-classical elements with modern techniques and expressive melodies
Another Miniature Suite
Originally written for cello the Suite Miniature by Martinu has seven delightful movements
The Bass Nightingale
No Contra recording would be complete without the ground-breaking Bassnachtigall by Erwin Schulhoff
Stable Animals
The beautiful Introduction and Carol by Ruth Gipps ‘The Ox and the Ass’
Carnival Animals
Tortoises and The Elephant from Saint-Saens’ well-known Carnival of the Animals
Capital Tour
Alan Ridout’s fun-packed Folies de Paris which are full of joy and humour
Elegant Elgar
The ever popular Chanson de Matin
Twelve pieces chosen to demonstrate the breadth (and depth!) of repertoire for the Contrabassoon
Meet the Players
Peter was brought up in Gloucestershire where he was lucky enough to be taught by Frank Read, a retired army bandsman and freelance bassoonist. After briefly considering a career in the Biological Sciences he went to the Royal College of Music to study with Kerry Camden and John Burness where he won the Doris Gould Memorial Prize and the Arthur Somervell Prize. After several years freelancing in London he was appointed to the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester in 1990 and whilst there he taught at the Royal Northern College of Music. In 2007 he joined the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and became a founder member of the Doune Bassoon Quartet a few years later. Their concerts in Doune’s Rural Hall have blossomed over the last 10 years into an annual chamber music series which has included numerous bassoon ensembles, wind quintets, string quartets and even a performance of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale complete with narrator and conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Peter also holds a degree in Psychology from the Open University and currently teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Peter’s photos by Kiain Balloch (lenscurve.co.uk)
Estonian pianist Liivi Arder studied at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under Toivo Nahkur and Nata-Ly Sakkos. In 2010 she completed the Advanced Accompaniment Course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under Fali Pavri and later received the Sam Hutchings Fellowship award. She has taken part in several competitions winning first prize in the Valentino Bucchi Competition in Rome, third prize in the chamber music category of the Pietro Argento Music Competition in Gioia del Colle, the Estonian National Television Prize in their Con Brio competition and has also been awarded the Hester Dickson accompanist prize. As an accompanist Liivi has been working for music summer courses and masterclasses at the RCS as well as with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. She has given chamber music concerts with Nikita Naumov, Ana Cordova Andres and Peter Wesley, and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Glasgow West End Festival with the ensemble Daniel’s Beard. Liivi is currently an accompanist and coach at the RCS String Department and Junior Conservatoire of Scotland.
Martin was born in Glasgow and studied Timpani and Percussion at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, winning the Governor’s Recital Prize and graduating with a BA in Music Performance and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Orchestral Studies. He joined the Scottish Ballet Orchestra in 1989 as Sub-Principal Percussion, moving to the Principal position in 2011. Outwith the ballet tours he has worked with many other orchestras across the UK and has toured extensively around the world including countries such as China, Japan, India, North and South America, as well as mainland Europe. In addition he has played on numerous recordings for radio, CD and television, and in various rock bands over the years. Martin has done three solo parachute jumps (so far) and is currently training for his pilot’s licence. He recently wrote his first book, “Just Another Drummer” which was short-listed for the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and is an Amazon number one best-seller.