February 13, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Mix a little renaissance music, some jazz, “Louie Louie” and a few primal war chants with the Marx Brothers and Monty Python, and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the Bassoon Brothers, who return to close out the 2003-04 Chamber Music on Tap Series, the Oregon Symphony’s popular chamber music series that presents four-star music in a beer and pizza setting, on Wednesday, March 17 at 6 p.m. Chamber Music on Tap, the “listener-friendly” chamber music series, is sponsored by BridgePort Brewing Company, and presented by Fortissimo, the Symphony’s young professional volunteer organization. The BridgePort BrewPub is located at 1313 N.W. Marshall.
The Bassoon Brothers, otherwise known as the Symphony’s bassoon section, are led by Principal Bassoon Mark Eubanks, along with Robert Naglee, Leon Chodos and the Brothers’ “sole sister,” Bonnie Cox. They have sold out every appearance they have made with the Chamber Music On Tap series, and this concert promises to be no exception. For this Saint Patrick’s Day performance, the Brothers will pull out a few of their unique “derangements” of classic Irish tunes, along with tributes to the late Johnny Cash and Captain Kangaroo. According to Eubanks, “there will also be some new derangements stolen from Mozart and Gilbert and Sullivan.” As is their trademark, every Bassoon Brothers concert begins with Gounod’s “Funeral March of a Marionette,” a.k.a. the TV theme from “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Fans of the Brothers can also count on their distinctive rendition of “Fanfare for the Common Bassoonist,” in which the audience will be encouraged to play along with kazoos and provide the percussion effects with their feet and clanking beer glasses.
In addition to the music, every Bassoon Brothers concert has a “top 10” list of reasons why you should (or should not) play the bassoon. Eubanks explains, “Occasionally we tailor the list for the audience, location or current events, e.g., why a cowboy should play bassoon—“looks awesome in the gun rack of your pickup truck…” Their zany approach to bassoon music and performance helps them achieve their underlying mission, as Eubanks defines it: “We have been doing this form of serious chamber music for 18 years now. The music ranges from (serious) Bach to “Louie Louie/Roll Out the Barrel” which was written specifically for the first gig we played downstairs at BridgePort. We want to prevent the extinction of this extremely versatile but endangered instrument and to encourage its performance by popularizing the bassoon through our music.”
Chamber Music on Tap is held on the third Wednesday of each month from October through March. The concerts provide audience members the opportunity to interact with musicians and socialize while sampling the brewery’s homemade pizza and handcrafted, award-winning ales in the pub’s unique building, a 100-year-old former rope factory.
Tickets are $6 for Fortissimo members, $12 for the general public and may be purchased in advance at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets early as this event is expected to sell out quickly. All proceeds from the evening benefit Fortissimo.
Mark is the leader and head deranger for the Bassoon Brothers and Principal Bassoonist with the Oregon Symphony. He plays on a Fox Model 201 bassoon after years of Heckeling.
Bonnie is the Bassoon Brothers sole sister and was voted the girl with the nicest bassoons. She plays on a Fox Model 201 bassoon and Fox Contrabassoon. Besides being Principal Bassoon of the Oregon Ballet Theatre and first call for the Oregon Symphony, Bonnie is a full time nurse.
Leon is the newest member of the Bassoon Brothers joining the group (and the Oregon Symphony) in August 2003. Leon plays on an 11,000 series Heckel and the Symphony Fox contrabassoon as well as his Mollenhauer. Leon is yet to be heard on any of the Brothers’ disks. However, stay tuned to hear Leon lay it down.
Robert (Captain Bob) Naglee is the senior member of the Bassoon Brothers and is in charge of the Complaint Department. He is known for his work on the bottom, and fishing for notes in general which he perpetrates with his 7100 series Heckel bassoon. He provides us with a new “Top Ten Reasons Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Play the Bassoon” with each concert.
