26 Melodic Studies, op. 15 (Ullery) - BSN

26 Melodic Studies, op. 15
for bassoon
by Eugene Jancourt (1815-1901) - French bassoonist, composer, and pedagogue

Eugene Jancourt (1815-1901) had a major influence on the development of the bassoon during the nineteenth century. First and foremost, he was a well known and respected performer, serving as principal bassoon in several of the opera orchestras in Paris as well as being a soloist and a member of the Societe des Concerts and a Captain of Music in the fifth subdivision of the Garde Nationale. He was Professor of Bassoon at the Paris Conservatoire from 1875-91 and composed well over 200 concert and pedagogical works for bassoon. Finally, he was an adviser to several of the leading Paris bassoon makers and made major contributions to the development of the French bassoon.

Jancourt's Grande methode theoretique et practique, Op. 15, was written around 1845. The 26 Melodic Studies, a part of this complete method, feature a wide range of keys and musical styles and are a common requirement in today's bassoon curriculum.

The present edition of Jancourt's 26 Melodic Studies is based on a facsimile of the original publication. Charles Ullery, former principal bassoonist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, has edited these etudes, correcting obvious note errors, misprints and inconsistencies, and adding occasional courtesy accidentals for ease of performance.