A Study in all Keys for Bassoon, (transcribed by Martin Gatt from ‘Study in all Keys’ for Flute by Louis Drouet).The first edition of this work was published by Phylloscopus Publications in 2000.

Drouet’s Study in all keys is typically virtuosic and technically demanding, and well suited to the flute. It extends over 365 bars, moving through all the tonalities, as the title suggests.

There is no comparable exercise in the bassoon repertoire, and Martin Gatt has provided a transcription of this teaching aid for the benefit of post-Grade 8 students.

Louis Drouet (1792 – 1873) was a famous flautist, born in Amsterdam. It is recorded that he played at the Paris Conservatoire, aged seven, and that he was a composition pupil of Méhul and Reicha. He toured with his father in the early years of the 19th century, and was appointed court soloist to the King of Holland in 1808. A similar appointment with the Emperor of France followed in 1811.

Drouet was a very successful performer and when the monarchy was restored in France, he became first flute in the Royal Chapel. In 1817, he appeared in London to great acclaim.

He spent three years in Naples as Director of the Royal Opera, then disappeared from view until Mendelssohn persuaded him to return to the concert circuit. He visited Paris, London, New York and Frankfurt, and spent 15 years in Gotha, Germany.