Where Are All The Oboists These Days? Options

[A.U.K]

Aww Liz glad you are getting on well at Chets..I am sure its a wonderful experience..I am sure your playing has changed and moved forward in huge leaps..you are very lucky to get such a wonderful oppertunity.

Fantasia, thank you for your kind hello, it is nice to be back in the land of the living.. I can see I shall have to start a new Oboe thread and gather the clan once more..I feel like this is a re-birth period..I had become so over tired that my poor body just gave in and gave up and it has taken the best part of a year to get back to normal or somewhere close..I have a huge amount of work to do Oboe wise, not the least to get to grips with "Peter and the Wolf".. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)


I hope everyone is having a good day, perfect weather for practicing.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Andrew

[flobiano]

The Poulenc is no mean feat to achieve either so good luck with that, I find it near terrifying everytime I hear it..I have never looked at the music..not yet anyway..

Yes, the Poulenc is proving tricky. The first movement is fairly straight forward in terms of playing the notes - but getting the tone, dynamics, interpretation is something else entirely! The second movement is fiendish...not sounding very musical at the momnet. But think it will get there, and certainly stretching me! I really love it though, so not too much of a hardship to put the work in! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hope Peter and the wolf goes well. We are doing Borodin Polovtsian Dance which has a very tricky oboe part which I'm having to work at as well. Think it's coming together, though there's a bit where the Cor plays the theme in 4/4 and the oboe part above it is in 12/8 and I haven't got my head around that at all yet. I think I will have to record the Cor part so that I can practice putting the oboe bit on top. I think the key is counting 2 to a bar....but it's making my head spin a bit at the moment. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) It's all good fun though!

[A.U.K]

Oh I love the Borodin, I have played the Polotsvian Dances, lovely work and some delicious Oboe parts..I do remember the Cor part threw a spanner in the works but it all panned out well enough..

As for the Poulenc well there is so much to it as I am sure you are realising..I also reccomend the Hindemith Sonata..it has to be one of the best pieces written for Oboe and well worth a look..

[Roseau]

Hello Andrew (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
I too wondered what had happened to you and am glad to hear that you are well on the road to recovery.
I have just got back from a few days in the UK with a new oboe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
I don't own a car so this is the most expensive thing I have ever bought (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[skylark]

Oh I love the Borodin, I have played the Polotsvian Dances, lovely work and some delicious Oboe parts.

I've just been listening to PD and other Prince Igor pieces on a Borodin CD as I drove back over the M62 this evening. Have you ever seen the opera, A.U.K - I don't think I've ever seen a performance of it advertised and it's one I would like to see.

[A.U.K]

Hello Keri, yes I am back and able to play again thank goodness..I am also pleased to hear you bought a new Oboe...oooh how exciting, what did you buy..?I know how expensive they are so you don't have to tell me..I think I broke out into a cold sweat when I paid for mine..just handing over the cheque made me shudder if I recal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) l...I just kept looking at the Oboe and Cor and tried to distract myself from the horror associated with the financial aspect...Just keep looking at it and the money aspect will soon pass..I hope you have lots of happy music making with your new friend..

Skyers I have not seen the opera, (in truth I am not an opera fan, shame on me I know) I am sure that at some point I have heard a concert where the PD were played..I do love Borodin...

At the moment for me I seem to be having a Baroque phase, can't get enough of it..Bach in particular..I find that music of this period makes sense for want of a better word..Musically it works and the patterns are helpful for a rythm klutz like me..I dont know why it is but I have the devil of a time finding the pulse sometimes which is usually screamingly Obvious in Baroque Music..My long suffering teacher had words with me the other week about beating a pulse so I really must get my toe going discreetly in my shoe..

Andrew

[flobiano]

As for the Poulenc well there is so much to it as I am sure you are realising..I also reccomend the Hindemith Sonata..it has to be one of the best pieces written for Oboe and well worth a look..

I will put the Hindemith on the list!! I played his flute sonata when I had a lessons a few years ago. My teacher at the time was a big Hindemith enthusiast! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Before Christmas I asked my teacher for some recommendations to ask for as gifts! So I still have the Saint Saens Sonata, the Britten Metamorphoses and Mozart Oboe Quartet waiting in the wings! I've also just bought Italian Dance by Madeleine Dring on teacher's recommendation. Starting to think about Grade 7!

[A.U.K]

The Britten Metamorphosis are wonderful but by no means an easy ride..I would go as far to say that really they are diploma level even though some are set for examinations they really do push the envelope a lot..Nick Daniels has a recording of them and there is a CD featuring many players interpretations of them, well worth a listen..

http://www.oboeclassics.com/Britten.htm#contents

I would say that the Saint Saens is by far more user friendly and can really be brought up to a staggering level of playing with work..One of the classic errors with the Saint Saens is that people take it far too slow, it really should hoof along or it becomes laboured, take a listen to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANF6ZEdJHlQ...feature=related Maurice Bourgue has it right in my opinion..

The Mozart is simply lovely and will certainly get the fingers moving, its very tricky but beautifully written. A friend of mine in Germany just recorded it and the speed he takes it at is simply staggering, however not once does he lose clarity or intonation and his articulation is world class..I will search out a link for it if anyone is interested..We haven't spoken in awhile but I will get in touch with him and see what he is up to..

Madeline Dring's Italian Dance is lovely also check out her "Three Piece Suite", lovely work, very tongue in cheek and not I might add without considerable humour in its writing.

If you really fancy a stretch then I will recomend the Finzi Interlude..I never tire of it, a masterpiece in its writing and melodic line, its a fair blow and not easy but well worth the work..The cadenza is breathtaking for the listener and Oboist alike..Also Herbert Howells Sonata in 4 movements is beautifully constructed and in my opinion often overlooked mainly I suspect because it's quite long..definitely one for the shopping bag..The 3rd movement is set for grade 8 and though on paper it looks straightforward enough its far from it..Nick Daniels has recorded both ..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finzi-Howells-Patt...0791&sr=1-5

Good luck with it all, I hope the grade 7 comes along well and that I have added some music for you to consider..

Andrew

[katica]

Lordy Lord it seems that all the Oboe threads have vanished in my absence..I see there are a couple one about reeds (no surprise there then.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) and one by Notmusicmum about Dynamics but all the Oboe ones seem to have vanished..


Andrew

A bit belatedly, I wanted to add my "welcome back" to everyone else's.

Actually, as barry-clari says, there is a bit more oboe "stuff" out there for you to catch up with. But no doubt we have dispersed ourselves a bit around other threads. We needed you to be our shepherd - good to have you back!

You don't know me but actually it is because of you that I am here (cybernetically at least - in what they call the real world, in Costa Rica). I was googling around for things oboeish after I took up the oboe a couple of years ago and found some interesting posts from you on this Forum. (Everybody does realise that everything we write here is visible to the internet world, right????!!!!) When I finally plucked up the courage to reveal my oboe idiocy and join, you were no longer "around" and I didn't like to ask... so sorry to hear you were very ill. I hope you really are thoroughly better?

[A.U.K]

Lordy Lord it seems that all the Oboe threads have vanished in my absence..I see there are a couple one about reeds (no surprise there then.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) and one by Notmusicmum about Dynamics but all the Oboe ones seem to have vanished..


Andrew

A bit belatedly, I wanted to add my "welcome back" to everyone else's.

Actually, as barry-clari says, there is a bit more oboe "stuff" out there for you to catch up with. But no doubt we have dispersed ourselves a bit around other threads. We needed you to be our shepherd - good to have you back!

You don't know me but actually it is because of you that I am here (cybernetically at least - in what they call the real world, in Costa Rica). I was googling around for things oboeish after I took up the oboe a couple of years ago and found some interesting posts from you on this Forum. (Everybody does realise that everything we write here is visible to the internet world, right????!!!!) When I finally plucked up the courage to reveal my oboe idiocy and join, you were no longer "around" and I didn't like to ask... so sorry to hear you were very ill. I hope you really are thoroughly better?

Hello Katica, welcome to the ABRSM I am very flattered that you found your way here via my posts on the Oboe Forum. There are Oboists far better qualified than me to comment on most things regarding the Oboe but I share my opinions easily and probably far too loudly.. I am only sorry I wasn't here to welcome you at the time but you all know why I had to take some time away.. I think we all forget that our posts are visable all over the world and to think you found your way here all the way from Costa Rica is staggering so well done, your internet search paid off. Costa Rica sounds very exotic and very appealing and above all else very warm which I like the sound of.

So how are you getting on with the Oboe, are you enjoying it..what are you playing musically..tell us a little more about yourself and the oppertunities for music in Costa Rica (sorry I just love saying Costa Rica)..are you going to try to make a career in music..do you have any problems getting supplies, the reason I ask is a friend of mine sponsors a player in Cuba and I know she has a very hard time getting what she needs..I'll be honest I don't know a thing about Costa Rica..so anything you can tell us would be great.

All that aside, its lovely to meet you, albeit via cyberspace and I hope we can help you with any questions you may have..I am a fiend for repetoire so ask away..I have cupboards full of music and probably an opinion on most of it.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Andrew

[Arundodonuts]

The Britten Metamorphosis are wonderful but by no means an easy ride..I would go as far to say that really they are diploma level even though some are set for examinations they really do push the envelope a lot..Nick Daniels has a recording of them and there is a CD featuring many players interpretations of them, well worth a listen..

http://www.oboeclassics.com/Britten.htm#contents

Seconded. It's a really interesting collection. Of the three, I find George Caird's playing elegant, but my preference is for Nick Daniels.

If you go to his website http://www.nicholasdaniel.com there are links to Youtube videos of the Metamorphoses (making them looking ridiculously easy) plus the Mozart and Carter concerti.

Mysef, I've so far only had a bit of a go at Pan.

Ooh, I would put in a plug for Britten's Temporal Variations too. I have a couple of recordings and a video of an ex teacher of mine playing it plus this fabulous recording by Emily Pailthorpe:

http://www.oboeclassics.com/Lovers.htm

I would also put in a plug for the Poulenc sonata and the (little known?) sonata by Edward Gregson.

[A.U.K]

Temporal Variations..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) you love a challenge don't you..beautiful but very tricky..

The Gregson is a lovely work, I can't find a link for it but I am sure there must be a recording somewhere..Pushpull do you have a recording of it or know of one?

Andrew

[Arundodonuts]

Temporal Variations..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) you love a challenge don't you..beautiful but very tricky..

Oh I didn't say I play it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The Gregson is a lovely work, I can't find a link for it but I am sure there must be a recording somewhere..Pushpull do you have a recording of it or know of one

I've only heard it performed once and as far as I know it doesn't have a commercial recording.

[flobiano]

I really like Nick Daniel's recording of the Metamophoses...I keep hoping he'll do some more vids to put up!

In case you haven't seen the other thread in general music, don't forget that the Woodwind final of the Young Musician of the Year is on tomorrow night on BBC4 and there are TWO oboists in the final five! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yay.gif)

[katica]

Hello Katica, welcome to the ABRSM I am very flattered that you found your way here via my posts on the Oboe Forum. There are Oboists far better qualified than me to comment on most things regarding the Oboe but I share my opinions easily and probably far too loudly.. I am only sorry I wasn't here to welcome you at the time but you all know why I had to take some time away.. I think we all forget that our posts are visable all over the world and to think you found your way here all the way from Costa Rica is staggering so well done, your internet search paid off. Costa Rica sounds very exotic and very appealing and above all else very warm which I like the sound of.

So how are you getting on with the Oboe, are you enjoying it..what are you playing musically..tell us a little more about yourself and the oppertunities for music in Costa Rica (sorry I just love saying Costa Rica)..are you going to try to make a career in music..do you have any problems getting supplies, the reason I ask is a friend of mine sponsors a player in Cuba and I know she has a very hard time getting what she needs..I'll be honest I don't know a thing about Costa Rica..so anything you can tell us would be great.

All that aside, its lovely to meet you, albeit via cyberspace and I hope we can help you with any questions you may have..I am a fiend for repetoire so ask away..I have cupboards full of music and probably an opinion on most of it.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Andrew

I like freely expressed opinions! I must confess I don't now lurk as much as I used on other more speficic oboe fora because it's very friendly here and I don't mind asking stupid questions or confessing embarrassing experiences. Everyone is really helpful and fun too so now it feels like "home".

In case it's not obvious I should say that I am actually from the UK but I've lived in Costa Rica for 17 years (!). I only took up the oboe here a couple of years ago as a very mature student, so I feel that I really am a "tica" oboist (that's a nickname for Costa Rican, in the feminine form). It is really an unexpectedly wonderful place to have taken up music again! The story of how I came to the oboe is full of lots of wonderful coincidences but itis a long one so I won't bore people again here. When I occasionally regret not having started 30 years ago (no spring chicken, you see) I remember that there really does seem to be a right time and place for things to happen!

I think it would be a little rash on my part to think of changing to a musical career at this late stage but I do sometimes fantasise about it! My first efforts on the oboe advanced surprisingly fast but I seem to have slowed down a lot. It doesn't help that I have a full-time job (in international development, working with volunteers) that is very absorbing and for which I have to travel quite a bit, which is rather interrupting to the music. I never travel without my oboe, though! I am now just now celebrating my second "oboe birthday". My teacher has just thrown the Schumann Romances at me, which is rather daunting and a bit worrying. I don't think I should be allowed to massacre such beautiful pieces and I'm a bit astonished that he's letting me loose on them at all.

You know, I bet I know - at least via e-mail - the Cuban player you mention. She told me she had a US sponsor and I'm pretty sure it's your friend. Her teacher and mentor, who is Principal Oboe of the Cuban Symphony Orchestra, was here with their wind quintet about six months ago and we had a lot of fun with them. They were specially invited by the little community cultural centre where I study (in a small town outside of the capital city San Jos?, which is where I live) and now they want to invite my teacher back to give Master Classes in Cuba! We can get supplies OK here, though it's expensive especially as everything needs to be shipped here. Actually, I ended up donating some stuff to the Cubans. They really do have an awful time of it! I bought various bits and pieces at the IDRS Conference for people to try - they were very taken with some Roseau Chantant reed and with a Winfield brass staple from Howarths (on my shopping list for my upcoming trip!).

Better stop there because I could go on for ever. And yes, the climate is great. Pretty good for oboe playing too (expect when too hot and sticky, which San Jos? mostly isn't).

I will definitely be taking you up on the offer of repertoire enquiries!

Talking of which, have either you or pushpull or anyone else acquired Thea Musgrave's Night Windows yet? Beautifully premiered by Nick Daniels at Birmingham. (Bit of a Nick Daniels fan club here I note - and maybe a budding Emily Pailthorpe one too!)

Kate