Encounters for violin and bassoon

Encounters ist die vierte und letzte Komposition in einer Serie von Duos für Fagott und einem der Streichinstrumente des Orchesters und besteht aus drei Sätzen: Riding the Tiger, The Abstract Truth, Three is A Charm. Die Ecksätze basieren auf energetischen, meist von Funk inspirierten Grooves und verlangen von beiden Instrumentalisten die Anwendung von erweiterten Spieltechniken. Die Violinstimme beinhaltet neben Slides das von der Bluegrass-Fiddle-Technik geborgte "Chopping", während in der Fagottstimme im 3. Satz Mehrklänge aufscheinen. Der ruhige 2. Satz schafft mittels ausgedehnter lyrischer Solopassagen Raum zum Atmen. (G. Wolfgang)

"Encounters is the fourth and final work in a series Wolfgang composed for bassoon in duet with a stringed instrument, this time paired with the violin. There are three sections, the outer two lively and quirky in nature and showcasing more exotic instrumental effects like chopping and multiphonics, whilst the middle movement, 'The Abstract Truth', sounds appropriately like a mild-mannered philosophical debate between soloists." (musicweb-international.com, May 2011) Wolfgang’s ability to tell tiny tales in sound is vividly evident in Rolling Hills & Jagged Ridges, for violin and piano, and the three delightful miniatures that make up Encounters, for violin and bassoon. (GRAMOPHONE, August 2011) Encounters  sees the return of the bassoon to this chamber idiom, with a very lyrical central movement, although elsewhere there are intriguing elements of bluegrass style. Wolfgang really explores the reaches of this undervalued solo instrument with writing that is both soulful and dramatic, so much so that the violin is almost secondary in the score. (Jeremy Marchant, FANFARE Magazine, July-Aug. 2011)