In K. 191, the bassoon steps out of the orchestra as orator, singer and dancer, uniting lyricism, virtuosity and Mozartian wit. i Work Information Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) Title: Bassoon Concerto in B-flat major, K. 191 (186e) Year of composition: Salzburg, 4–5 June 1774; the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe gives 4 June Premiere: Not documented Genre: Concerto for solo bassoon and orchestra Structure: Three movements Duration: approx. 17–20 minutes Instrumentation: Solo bassoon, 2 oboes, 2 horns—in B-flat in the outer movements and in F in the slow movement—first and second violins, violas I and II, cellos and double basses The bassoon usually inhabits the orchestra’s deeper regions, where it supports, comments upon and colours the sound without constantly claiming the foreground. In the Concerto in B-flat major, the eighteen-year-old Mozart invites it to leave that familiar position and reveal...