SABBATICAL FOR MODERN REEDS

Reeds for modern (Heckel, Fox, etc.) bassoon will be out of regular production until late 2009. Reeds for historical bassoon and contrabassoon will remain in production, but the delivery times will be extended. Your reed maker will be taking a part-time sabbatical to join to write The Bassoon, a book to be published in 2010 by Yale University Press in association with the William Waterhouse Estate.

This is unwelcome news, I know, if you’re looking for modern bassoon reeds. But it will be good news down the road, if you’re the sort of bassoonist who would like to read about the history and nature of your instrument, its repertory, its players, and its audiences. The book will include an informative chapter on the acoustics of the bassoon and its reed.

The Bassoon was earlier announced as a joint undertaking with William Waterhouse, whose premature death has left a sizable void in the bassoon world. He was formerly principal bassoonist of the London Symphony and BBC Symphony orchestras, author of The New Langwill Index and Bassoon (Yehudi Menuhin Guides), commissioner of works from Jean Françaix and Gordon Jacob, competition judge and clinician, and a noted chamber musician (The Melos Ensemble). He and his predecessor Lyndesay G. Langwill (author of The Bassoon and Contrabassoon, 1965) built up a library, archive, and instrument collection that is unparalleled in the world. I’m spending a large fraction of 2008 and 2009 working in the Waterhouse research collection. The resulting book will bear the imprint of Bill’s research, opinions, and collection, even though the words will be mine.

I hope to return modern bassoon reeds to production again in late 2009. In the meantime, I encourage bassoonists to check out the offerings of reed makers listed at www.idrs.org or other sites-the quality level of reed making in the broad market is continually rising, and you may find something you can depend on.

Meanwhile, I will continue to offer reeds for historical bassoon (dulcian, baroque, classical reproductions) and modern contrabassoon. Fewer makers offer these reeds, and my continued service of this market will be the least disruptive course, all things considered. Thanks to customers of all persuasions for your understanding during this sabbatical.

-James Kopp