Etienne Ozi
Encyclopedia
Etienne Ozi was a French bassoon
ist and composer
. He is known for his concerto
s, symphonies concertantes, and pedagogical pieces. His works were influential in the development of the bassoon and remain a staple of the classical bassoon repertoire.
Ozi's Nouvelle Méthode de basson (1803) was regarded as one of the first complete instructional materials for the bassoon, which was at the time still seven-keyed, as compared to the far more complex modern instrument. The technical demands of Ozi's literature spurred on its development; instrument maker Carl Almenräder
in particular used his compositions to direct further development of the bassoon in his development of the key mechanism. The Méthodes were adopted by the early Paris Conservatory as a course of study, containing "detailed principles for the study of the bassoon, exercises in all keys with bass accompaniment, twelve sonatas of progressive difficulty, thirty scale variations and forty-two caprices. It also includes instructions on caring for the instrument, and methods of making the reeds.”
Born in Nîmes
, Ozi received his early musical experience from a military ensemble, but settled in Paris in 1777, where he studied with G. W. Ritter. His 1779 debut at the Concert Spirituel
won the effusive praise of the Parisian press. His 36 appearances over 12 years performing there included 19 performances of his own works.
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
ist and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He is known for his concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
s, symphonies concertantes, and pedagogical pieces. His works were influential in the development of the bassoon and remain a staple of the classical bassoon repertoire.
Ozi's Nouvelle Méthode de basson (1803) was regarded as one of the first complete instructional materials for the bassoon, which was at the time still seven-keyed, as compared to the far more complex modern instrument. The technical demands of Ozi's literature spurred on its development; instrument maker Carl Almenräder
Carl Almenräder
Carl Almenräder was a German performer, teacher and composer.The design of the modern bassoon owes a great deal to Almenräder, who, assisted by the German acoustics researcher Gottfried Weber developed the 17-key bassoon whose range spanned four octaves...
in particular used his compositions to direct further development of the bassoon in his development of the key mechanism. The Méthodes were adopted by the early Paris Conservatory as a course of study, containing "detailed principles for the study of the bassoon, exercises in all keys with bass accompaniment, twelve sonatas of progressive difficulty, thirty scale variations and forty-two caprices. It also includes instructions on caring for the instrument, and methods of making the reeds.”
Born in Nîmes
Nîmes
Nîmes is the capital of the Gard department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. Nîmes has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire, and is a popular tourist destination.-History:...
, Ozi received his early musical experience from a military ensemble, but settled in Paris in 1777, where he studied with G. W. Ritter. His 1779 debut at the Concert Spirituel
Concert Spirituel
The Concert Spirituel was one of the first public concert series in existence. The concerts began in Paris in 1725 and ended in 1790; later, concerts or series of concerts of the same name occurred in Paris, Vienna, London and elsewhere...
won the effusive praise of the Parisian press. His 36 appearances over 12 years performing there included 19 performances of his own works.
External links
- Reed-making of Etienne Ozi, from "Etienne Ozi (1754-1813): Bassoonist, Teacher and Composer", by Harold Eugene Griswold