BRAM VAN SAMBEEK bassoon – artist profile
Dutch bassoonist Bram van Sambeek (BBT Award 2011) is a man of gritty determination who relishes challenge and embraces innovation in his bid to master the complexities of his bassoon. As a chamber musican, teacher and soloist, he is devoted to finding ways to show all the colours of his instrument and free it from misconceptions about its versatility. Our film shows how he stimulates his daily routine of practice and reed-making with constant experimentation, a boundless variety of musical collaboration – and running against the wind.
On 6 December 2014 he performs the world premiere of a new concerto, Mana, written for him by Finnish composer Sebastian Fagerlund, with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra conducted by Okko Kamu. BBT co-commissioned the work with the Lahti and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestras and is also supporting a BIS recording of the new work, with the Bassoon Concerto by Kalevi Aho and more solo works by Fagerlund.