Instrumental Solo/Vocal Solo Composition of the Day, Installments 3A & 3B:
"Bagatelle" (Bassoon or Bass Trombone Solo, 1994)/"Autumn" (Bass-Baritone Solo, 2024).
"Bagatelle" for bassoon or bass trombone solo has long been one of the most popular YouTube music videos on my channel from among my unpublished compositions. What was not widely known until today is that this work was inspired by the public domain poem Herbst (Autumn) by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926).
I had always wanted to release the song, "Autumn" for bass-baritone solo, but shied away from it until now because of the very wide vocal range. As I was preparing "Bagatelle" as my "Instrumental Solo Composition of the Day" for social media today, I finally decided not to hold back on releasing "Autumn" any longer. First, it is autumn right now. Second, what have I got to lose at 65 years of age?
I provided alternative octave-higher notes for the lowest pitches in the song, but otherwise the range is E-flat2-F4. I still have that vocal range today, and trust that many other bass-baritone vocalists do, too. Ideally, the range including the lowest pitches is B1-F4 (!!). If you can sing both the bass line from Rachmaninoff's "All Night Vigil" which I cannot, and, say, that crazy baritone solo from Orff's "Carmina Burana" which I can, then this is your song!
Follow the next URL to view a scrolling score music video of "Bagatelle" on YouTube. https://youtu.be/VUrkOgO0mgE?si=qYkt9d_3MhZjiXCf
Follow the next URL to view a static score music video of "Autumn" on YouTube.
The sheet music for both "Bagatelle" and "Autumn" is available from the composer, and for sale from Sheet Music Plus. https://www.sheetmusicplus.com
Thank you for your time and attention.
Stanley M. Hoffman, PhD
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