If the violin is the elegance of an orchestra, Stephanie Unverricht says her bassoon is quite often the comic relief.

Unverricht takes centre stage in SSO’s Spring Fever. (Julie Isaac Photography)

“We are often called the clowns of the orchestra as we jump and play around the rest of the instruments,” says the SSO principal bassoonist. “I started out on the violin. When the time came to choose instruments in Grade 6 band, I wanted to pick something really different. I connected with the bassoon, I fell in love with it.”

I’m excited to be out front for this performance

Unverricht and her bassoon will be featured in the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Fever with a performance of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto. The piece is bouncy and fun, the perfect way to beckon spring.

“It’s not often we get to solo so it’s really exciting to have it at this concert,” says Unverricht. “This concerto is a standard part of our repertoire. Every bassoonist studies this piece, it’s used in auditions and college applications all the time. I’m excited to be out front for this performance.”

For me, this program is all about contrasting

Miller returns to her home province to lead the SSO. (Photo Provided)

Guest conductor Tania Miller chose pieces that would take the audience on a musical journey. The program begins with the opening darkness of Beethoven’s Egmont then into the prayerful reflection of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams the audience is primed for brighter days. That lightness comes through in Mozart’s playful concerto and the joy of Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 aptly nicknamed “Spring”.

“For me, this program is all about contrasting, so much of what we really hear emotionally in the music is in relationship to hearing other things,” says Miller. “I know how it’s going to flow and feel, the way my pulse is quickened in this moment, then having peace wash over me in another, and then joy bubbling over in the next, it’s going to be a memorable trip.”

What helps most is having my colleagues cheering me on

Despite a few nerves, Unverricht is excited to be centre stage.

“I love where I normally sit in the orchestra. It’s like the centre of the universe surrounded on all sides by talent so getting out in front is nerve-wracking,” she says. “What helps most is having my colleagues cheering me on and supporting me.”