Alberto Grazzi

When, where and what did you play the first time with the English Concert?
1989, East (then) Germany tour, instrumental program with Trevor Pinnock Conducting

What has been your most memorable TEC concert and why?
Wigmore Hall 2006 Mozart Bassoon Concerto. A very challenging time program which (in the end) I was very happy to have said yes to…
All concerts went very well but At the Wigmore I had my wife and daughter in the audience.

What’s one of your favourite pieces of music and why?
Bach partita in G minor for lute. The intimacy of the instrument together with Bach absolute genius make this music always new and very touching.

Do you have a secret interest or hobby that would surprise people?
I love working wood on the lathe and make copy of wind instruments (oboes and bassoons). It’s not such a secret but sometimes people don’t expect a musician to have a practical hobby.

Principal bassoon of “The English Concert” between 1989 and 2020, Alberto Grazzi founded in 1989 Ensemble Zefiro, devoted mainly to wind music of the 18th and 19th century.
In 2009 he was asked to join “Concentus Musicus” as principal bassoon (at the time conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt) of which he is still member.
His vast recordings include a solo record of Vivaldi bassoon concertos, Mozart bassoon concerto and the complete Mozart chamber music for winds.
Alberto is Professor of baroque bassoon at the Milan Consevatorio “Giuseppe Verdi”.