The repertoire for bassoon is not exactly overflowing. There are even fewer pieces written specifically for bassoon and string quartet. Since it is a very appealing instrumentation that also favours numerous performance possibilities for concerts (a quartet is easier to book than a symphony orchestra), Rui Lopes has asked composer friends to write pieces for him. Numerous musicians have responded to this request and two works have found their way onto the album “Close Encounters”: the whimsical “Gott-Fa, Two scenes for Bassoon and String Quartet” by Helena Winkelman and the jazzy “Rui’s Tango for Bassoon and String Quintet” by bandoneonist Marcelo Nisinman. In addition, there are pieces that were specially arranged for this unusual instrumentation at Rui’s request and the original Quintet for Bassoon and String Quartet in A minor by Edouard du Puy.
