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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 2003/09

From: PhilFrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Re: Oboe and strings recommendations
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 14:05:47 -0400

Hi -

Absolutely, the Britten! That is one of the all-time great works IMHO.

Also amongst the wealth of English/Irish Oboe Quartets (the best have already
been mentioned) are the Oboe Quartets by Arnold (Op. 61) and Moeran (Fanstasy
Quartet). I'm more familiar with the latter, having picked up a copy on the
cheap at a sheet music clearance. Its very well written with some nice sections
and Irish references, though the composer kind of overplays the opening
motive, I think.

I went to a chamber music party and brought what I think were some Boccherini
sets I found at the local library (Oakland Public). It was light and almost
Mozart-like, and I believe by a composer more known for Italian operas, if not
Boccherini himself. There were three volumes (three sonatas?), and it was for
Oboe, Violin, Viola, Cello, not oboe and string quartet. I should have been
paying more attention...

Add a string bass to your string quartet and you could conceivably play
Corigliano's "Aria." (Another "closeout," snagged at an IDRS conference.) I like
this piece and hope to play it some time. It lays in the hands well for an
atonal piece, I think.

I've liked the little that I've heard of Salzedo so far. If you can track
that down, I bet it will be worth the effort.

- Phil Freihofner