Curtal, Dulcian, Bajón: A History of the Precursor to the Bassoon
(St Albans, 2002) pp. 303, 147 b/w illustrations & line drawings
ISBN 9780954349202
This book is about the instrument that evolved into the bassoon. My original idea was to
compile a complete guide to all extant curtals and all known references to their use. This
has proved to be an impossible task since not only are new instruments still occasionally
found, but also because there are enough references to their use in Spain alone to
warrant a whole lifetime researching them all. The chronological and repertoire sections
in particular should therefore be regarded as giving representative examples,
illustrating the enormous use which was made of these instruments.
In August 2008 I selected the music and gave an interview for an episode of BBC Radio 3’s
‘The Early Music Show’. For details see The Early Music Show
Maggie Kilbey
Curtal, Dulcian, Bajón: A History of the Precursor to
the Bassoon (St Albans, 2002) pp.303, 147 b/w
illustrations & line drawings
ISBN 9780954349202
This book is about the instrument that evolved into
the bassoon. My original idea was to compile a
complete guide to all extant curtals and all known
references to their use. This has proved to be an
impossible task since not only are new instruments
still occasionally found, but also because there are
enough references to their use in Spain alone to
warrant a whole lifetime researching them all. The
chronological and repertoire sections in particular
should therefore be regarded as giving
representative examples, illustrating the enormous
use which was made of these instruments.
In August 2008 I selected the music and gave an
interview for an episode of BBC Radio 3’s ‘The Early
Music Show’. For details see The Early Music Show
Maggie Kilbey
