For many people, classical music is a thing that has been done in the past, but in reality, classical is well and thriving, with many new pieces being developed every day. Stylish, emotive classical music is also getting composed today by talented artists like Logan J. Blackman, whose work Sonata for Bassoon and Piano with its three movements is a masterful production and an amazing showcase of what classical music can do.
Sonata for Bassoon and Piano is a versatile piece that includes three movements. It takes the listener on an emotional journey with soft and pleasant harmonies that bring out a unique sound combination between the bassoon and the piano.
Movement 1 begins with a light and airy track that explores a slower pace. It accelerates throughout Movement 2, and Movement 3 adds a jazz-like vibe with a lot of playing around with the music, the tempo, and the sounds. However, all three come together to shape a powerful and beautiful sonata that can be enjoyed by fans of classical and those who do not have any experience with this kind of music. It is simply good and enjoyable, playful at times, and also able to push the boundaries of classical.
Logan J. Blackman is an artist with many hats. He is a bassoonist, a piano player, an organist, a conductor, and a composer, whose deep understanding of each element of music helps him construct a wonderful composition that pays careful attention to the music and sounds, the harmonies, and the structure. Sonata for Bassoon and Piano showcases every aspect of this understanding to create something truly worthwhile.
Logan J. Blackman was a graduate of the University of Kentucky in 2018. His love for music developed early on when he discovered a passion for the organ, of all things, and started to explore the possibilities of music, which became his passion and his drive. Unfortunately, this artist’s story has been marked by tragedy, as he sadly lost both his parents in an accident when he was just fifteen. But thanks to their support, he has pushed forward to dedicate his life to music and work on something truly inspiring.
Sonata for Piano and Bassoon, with all three movements, is a piece that can be enjoyed by most listeners, even if they don’t boast an encyclopedic understanding of classical music. It speaks to the soul and, as such, can become a great choice for an introduction to Blackman’s work or even modern classical in general. The piece combines two instruments to bring out the best in each.
You can discover more of Logan J. Blackman’s music on SoundCloud and other streaming services. Of particular note in addition to his gorgeous sonata is Prayer of a Broken Heart, which is dedicated to his parents. Also, check out Logan’s YouTube channel with more beautiful classical music over here. Finally, make sure to follow the artist on social media to be the first to learn of new releases.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Logan. Here are the excerpts from the interview.
Hi Logan, Great to have you with us today! Please share your journey with our readers.
Hi, I am a Bassoonist, Pianist, Organist, Conductor, and Composer. I’ve been composing since I was about 13/14 and performing since I was 11. My love for music began the summer Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest came out. I was stricken by the scene where Davy Jones played this epic organ. From that, I just developed this great love for the organ and, as a result, a love for music. That developed into a career now spanning almost two decades, two (and a half) music degrees, and a body of wonderful experiences I now carry with me.
Please tell us about your music composition, Sonata for Bassoon and Piano.
In December 2017, I premiered my Sonata for Bassoon and Piano in G Major. In some ways, it was a capstone of my time as a bassoon major at the University of Kentucky and a significant point in my composition journey. The piece is in three movements, which you can find on my SoundCloud.
During the writing process, which started around July of that same year, it was really a significant point in my journey as a composer. I had been studying a lot of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart at the time, and a lot of the humorous qualities of those composers came out in this piece. It doesn’t take itself seriously at all. If you think it does, it’s actually just pointing and laughing. And that’s what has propelled me to find my voice as a composer; don’t ever take yourself too seriously.
The first movement is a modified Sonata form and is harmonically the most adventurous of the piece. I remember writing this and just deciding to let go. My work up to that point had been focused so much on “following the compositional rules” and making it “perfect.” Letting go, I feel like it let me develop my voice so much more. I was able to illustrate ideas without my own self-restriction!
The second movement is honestly just meant to be pretty!
The third movement is a little more academic but satirically so in some ways. Structurally, it’s making fun of the sonata-rondo form. I won’t go into too many technical details, but if anyone were to do a theoretical analysis of the overall form, they’d probably just say, “really?” From the beginning, it quotes the famous third movement of the Weber Bassoon Concerto—almost a meme for bassoonists. The Mozart bassoon concerto is also hidden in this movement as well. At the end, the coda is a cheeky wink to the audience and the piece.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Love, breathe, and live your passion!
Any message for our readers.
Never take yourself too seriously. Let go, have fun, and just live in the moment.
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
You can follow me on my Facebook page. You can also check out my Instagram @Logan.j.Blackman.music, or Twitter @loganjblackman!
Thank you so much, Logan, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!