Musical Moment: Listen to TSO’s Principal Bassoon Michael Sweeney play Violin Partita No. 1 in B minor by Johann Sebastian Bach

How does TSO Principal Bassoon Michael Sweeney mark the end of his 31st season with the Orchestra? Instead of playing a concert with his colleagues on stage, he plays a 300 year-old piece written for the violin on his bassoon at home and then records it on his phone. His theory is that there is no better way to improve your musical skills than to play music that even violinists find challenging. J.S. Bach’s incredible output–which includes a great deal of solo instrumental music adaptable to other instruments–is endlessly fascinating. With this movement from the Violin Partita No. 1, Michael toasts his many colleagues in the violin section of the TSO, and flexes his musical muscles.

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By StaffToronto Star

Wed., July 15, 2020timer1 min. read

Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Bassoon Michael Sweeney marks the end of his 31st season with the orchestra by playing a 300-year-old piece written for the violin on his bassoon at home and then records it on his phone.

His theory is that there is no better way to improve your musical skills than to play music that even violinists find challenging. Johann Sebastian Bach’s incredible output — which includes a great deal of solo instrumental music adaptable to other instruments — is endlessly fascinating.

With this piece from the Violin Partita No. 1, Sweeney toasts his many colleagues in the violin section of the TSO, and flexes his musical muscle.

Musical Moment, produced by the TSO and the Star, features musicians recording themselves live at home, performing pieces no longer than three minutes. The new video will be posted every Thursday at thestar.com/musicalmoments.