Four Preludes for bassoon and piano (1954)
The piece was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and Art. Originally, Baird intended it to be a Concerto for bassoon and orchestra. Successive preludes form a cycle: I. Moderato, II. Allegretto moderato, III. Adagio, con dolore, IV. Allegro giocoso.
The work has some neo-classical features, like the Baroque principle of succession of parts (slow-fast-slow-fast), homophonic texture, form built on development of an initial motif or abandonment of the major-minor tonality and subordination of the pitch material to the central notes. In addition, the work is marked by a considerable variability of expression – balancing between a slow, beautiful, expansive cantilena, and a playful, light and lively narrative.
Tadeusz Baird played down the significance of his chamber pieces:
when my artist friends asked me, I wrote some insignificant miniatures for voice, for clarinet and for bassoon.
