The Sonata for Bassoon and Piano was commissioned in 1981 by David Carroll, principal bassoonist of the New York Philharmonic, through the financial assistance of the Ontario Arts Council. The sonata is written in three movements.

The first movement is an Allegro which resembles in structure a very free Sonata form.

The second movement starts with an expressive melody in the piano supported by heavy chords. The bassoon continues with an extended lyrical line which leads into a faster and rhythmical middle section. This is followed by a developped recapitulation of the piano introduction which reaches the dynamic climax of this movement. The tension gradually decreases and the bassoon continues in its lyrical mood of its first appearance and brings the music to a soft quiet ending.

The third movement is a flowing Allegro which ends with a short, very fast coda.

Mr. Carroll described this sonata as one of the finest works written for the bassoon in the 20th century. He expressed his impression with the following words:

I am glad that I can finally play a work where the beautiful, expressive qualities as well as the rhythmic and dramatic possibilities of my instrument are fully exploited: it is a wonderful relief after so many works where the bassoon is treated as the clown of the orchestra.