The bassoon in Barcelona in the second half of the XVIIIth century

Bernat Gili Díaz

The recent discovery of original bassoons made in Barcelona in the 18th century and the researches made on the musical life of the city during this period give us the opportunity to understand how the instrument was conceived and which role it had in its musical context. When were this bassoons made? By whom? For what purpose? Which repertoire could have been played with them? Do they share any common characteristics? How are these linked to their function in the music of that time? All these and other questions are answered in this research by putting together an organological analysis of the instruments, the repertory that has been preserved and different written sources concerning the historical and musical context and the instrument making. This research will be presented in form of research exposition.

The turners guild

The turners guild was created in 1556 as a specialization of the carpenters guild. The study of its activity of it between 1742 and 1826 has been possible because of the notarial acts preserved from this period. This work has been carried out by the known bassoonist and musicologist Josep Borràs and exposed in his article “Constructors d’instruments de vent fusta entre 1742 i 1826”. Three different notaries of the same family worked for the guild from 1742 until 1838, which makes it easier to track its activity during a period of almost 100 years.

The guild encompassed all the craftsmen who worked with wood, bone or horn in the turn. During the second half of the 18th century, the guild started a transformation from the traditional craftsman's workshops to specialized centers of production of musical instruments clearly oriented to free trade. Most of the workshops of their members were also shops of own and imported products. 1

Amongst the notary documents we can find two relevant witnesses of the activity of the guild. These encompass the masters examinations, general councils of the guild, demands between members or other issues which required the presence of the notary.

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