Divertimento for Clarinet and Bassoon by Stefan De Haan with Slavko Popovic and Michael Hope

Dedicated to Stephen Franse. One evening this spring, Slavko Popovic (Principal Clarinet of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra) was having a conversation with Steve Franse (Retired Principal Bassoonist of the CPO) about the online video recordings of clarinet/bassoon duets he’d been making with bassoonist Michael Hope. “You know what?“ Steve said, “You guys should record this...“ and handed Slavko a copy of Stefan De Haan’s Divertimento. Slavko and Michael had never heard of this piece before, but Steve first played it 45 years ago and holds it high esteem. Given Steve’s sophisticated tastes in music, it is no surprise that this piece is an unknown gem. Unlike most divertimenti, it begins with a serious tone before it evolves slowly but surely into the playfulness for which all divertimenti are known and loved. We thank Stephen for his suggestion and dedicate this performance of it to him in recognition of his artistry and the beautiful legacy of his 38 years as Principal Bassoonist of the Calgary