John Tomkins

John Tomkins appears as bassoon soloist in Françaix's Divertissement for Bassoon and String Orchestra, part of a South Dakota Symphony program of Baroque and Baroque-influenced music. Our directory does not have independent information about him beyond this appearance, so this page describes the piece rather than a personal biography.

Françaix's Divertissement treats the bassoon playfully rather than seriously, using the instrument's reputation as an orchestral comedian, capable of sudden low grumbles and surprisingly nimble high leaps, for a witty back-and-forth with the string orchestra. Expect quick, articulate passagework and a light touch rather than the bassoon's more familiar role providing bass support inside a larger ensemble. The rest of the program looks back to actual Baroque repertoire, including Rameau and Handel, so the bassoon feature sits as a 20th-century composer's affectionate, tongue-in-cheek nod to that earlier style.