“The bassoon spoke to me intuitively right away. Its sound resonated with me.” Sophie Dervaux is a passionate ambassador for her instrument. As a child, she fell in love with its sound; today, she is considered one of the outstanding bassoonists of her generation. She has been principal bassoonist of the Vienna Philharmonic since 2015. In addition, she pursues an international career as a soloist and conductor.
The musical centerpiece of the concert portrait “Sophie Dervaux and the Bassoon” is Mozart’s Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, K. 191. In Katowice, she will perform this seminal work of the bassoon repertoire as both soloist and conductor alongside the Silesian Philharmonic. This concerto has been a constant companion since her student days and continually opens up new perspectives: “Every orchestra has a different approach, a different sound. That’s why it’s a new experience every time.”
The film follows Sophie Dervaux through defining moments in her life. In Lyon, she reunites with her former teacher, Carlo Colombo, who had a decisive influence on her musical development. In Vienna, we see her recording a chamber music piece—a bassoon quartet by François Devienne—with fellow musicians from her circle.
Another stop takes us to the historic Püchner bassoon workshop in Nauheim. There, the camera documents the creation of a new instrument and offers fascinating insights into the craftsmanship, history, and evolution of the bassoon. The result is a portrait of an extraordinary musician and an instrument that rarely takes center stage.
Director: Andreas Morell
Cinematography: Nikolai Sevke
Editing: Nina Mühlenkamp
Editor: Claudia Cellarius
A 3B-Produktion GmbH production
Commissioned by NDR
In collaboration with ARTE
