Billaudot DECRUCK FERNANDE - SONATE POUR HAUTBOIS CLARINETTE & BASSON

Summary of This Score

Fernande Decruck devoted a significant part of her catalog to the reed trio formation, a preference that fits within the Parisian musical context of the time and the artistic proximity to great performers, including the bassoonist Fernand Oubradous. This Sonata, the second composed for reed trio, was completed in September 1945. The first version initially included a fourth movement and was dedicated to the Reed Trio of René Daraux (oboe), Fernand Gossens (clarinet), and Ange Maugendre (bassoon).

For reasons unknown, the composer later revised the work: the fourth movement was removed and the dedication was addressed to Paul Siguier, Maurice Coëx, and Simon Colette. The work was registered with SACEM in 1949, and a handwritten note mentioning "Siguier Radio Limoges" suggests a radio broadcast from Limoges. In its final form, the sonata unfolds in three movements, concentrating Decruck's artistry into a dense piece of about ten minutes, as captivating to listen to as it is demanding in ensemble precision.

The first movement opens with a floating and sensual entry, supported by warm harmony with jazz accents, before shifting to an energetic and nervous Allegro in 6/8. The second movement, Andante Amabile, extends the lyrical atmosphere of the introduction and highlights the trio's shared breath, the continuity of lines, and the quality of timbre. The last movement, constructed as a scherzo, brings a rhythmic drive and lively character that stimulate ensemble coordination, articulation, and dialogue among the three instruments. This sonata was notably recorded in 2017 by the female trio Reeds Amis (oboe, clarinet, bassoon), confirming its appeal in the chamber music repertoire for reeds.

Technical specifications

Musical Genre

Classical

Publication

Sheet music

Composer	Fernande Decruck	Genre	classical score, chamber music
Instrumentation	reed trio (oboe, clarinet in B-flat or clarinet in A, bassoon)