THE RESONANCE ATLAS
Alexandre Ouzounoff
Biography
Alexandre Ouzounoff is a French composer with an extensive catalogue for wind instruments, chamber ensembles and orchestra. The bassoon occupies a particularly prominent place in his output, alongside works for horn, oboe, percussion and mixed instrumental combinations. His scores include Nuages de Feu for viola and bassoon, Un Sourire for bassoon and string trio, Il pleut sur les jardins d'Eole for oboe, bassoon and string trio, and Apatoa for wind quintet.
Ouzounoff's work extends beyond composition to the preparation of editions, revisions and arrangements of historical wind repertoire, issued by publishers including Billaudot and Egge Verlag. His own works have appeared through several specialist publishers and been performed internationally. His catalogue includes music for unconventional combinations as well as teaching repertoire, reflecting a sustained practical engagement with wind players.
Why this music interests us
Ouzounoff's catalogue is particularly attractive for the way it places the bassoon in less familiar chamber combinations. Nuages de Feu, for bassoon and viola, and Un Sourire, for bassoon and string trio, demonstrate the range of his writing for low reeds and strings. Il pleut sur les jardins d'Eole, for oboe, bassoon and string trio, is an especially appealing five-player combination. Works such as Les Offrandes Aquatiques, for oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano, and Naadam, for wind quintet and piano, extend those possibilities into larger but readily imaginable chamber programmes.
Selected works & listening
Nuages de Feu (2021; bassoon and viola); Un Sourire (2017; bassoon and string trio); Il pleut sur les jardins d’Eole (2010; oboe, bassoon and string trio); Les Offrandes Aquatiques (2010; oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, piano); Naadam (2015; wind quintet and piano)
Further information