fagotti

Fagotto is the Italian name for the bassoon, a double-reed woodwind instrument. The plural fagotti is used to refer to two or more bassoons or to the bassoon section in an ensemble or score. The term derives from fagotto, meaning "bundle," a reference to the instrument’s folded, multi-pipe construction.

Construction and play: The fagotto has a double-reed mouthpiece and a long, folded body with a complex system of keys. Modern instruments are usually made of grenadilla wood or synthetic materials. They are pitched in a low instrument family and are frequently paired with a contrabassoon in larger ensembles.

In orchestras and chamber music, fagotti provide bass lines, tenor-colour, and occasional solos. A typical orchestra may include two or three bassoons, sometimes four, depending on the repertoire; the contrabassoon doubles the low end. In opera orchestras, the bassoon also preserves dramatic color in many scenes.

History and today: The bassoon evolved from earlier shawm-family instruments in the 17th century and achieved standardized form by the 18th century in Europe. The modern instrument commonly uses a system developed in the early 20th century by Heckel, though other makers exist. The fagotto remains a standard part of the wind section in classical and contemporary music.