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.

Maker: PADROSA

Place: Barcelona

Date: Second half of the 18th century

Mark: BARNA PADROSA

Current location: Private collection

Catalog number: -

Preserved elements:

Bocal:

Wing joint:

Boot joint:

Long joint:

Bell:

Keys: 5 ( F Ab D Db B/Bb)

Material:

Wood:

Pitch: ≈ 415 Hz

About the Padrosa Makers:

Narcís Padrosa still appears as an assistant of the coundil of the Turner's Guild in 1820.

The Baron of Maldá talks about his marriage with Atònia Comelles the 4th of February of 1777. The Baron explains that Narcís works in a shop of his family (Amat), making wind instruments. He also mentions that Narcís plays the dulcian, the oboe and the recorder.

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