 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: schurch
Date: 2010-11-12 11:22
Hi,
I majored in Oboe performance in college (15 years ago), but ended up switching to Digital Audio Technology and got involved on the music industry side of the business rather than performance. However, about 5 years ago, I got the calling to play oboe for fun (again), and have enjoyed the balance it brought back into my life. I recently moved to Northern Virginia/DC metro area (so I had to leave my teacher that I had in San Francisco - Brenda Schuman-Post who is the most amazing and kindest soul on the planet). I currently play a Buffet Greenline Oboe (which I love and is great), I and am seriously considering a second oboe.
For some reason, the Fossati Soliste V oboe calls to me. I haven't played one, but I like that they are doing things differently (different bore, double tenon ring, one trill key system, rhodium plated keys, etc.). It's nice to see the instrument evolve (I know that things can be "bad" different and not "good" different, but I guess I just like the idea of change). *I also like the idea of the Patricola S7 Evoluzione, as they are supposed to be "very easy to play?"
Anyhow, I would very much like to try and if it resonates with me, buy a Fossati (or maybe the Patricola?). I know that Midwest Musical Imports has a Soliste V (but it's on trial right now). Does anybody know any other retailer in the US that might have them?
Also, if anyone has played on an S7 or Soliste V, I would love to know your thoughts if you are up to share your experience (either good or bad)?
Cheers,
Scott
Post Edited (2010-11-12 12:14)
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2010-11-12 13:14
I have only played on trial one Fossati Artiste NOT the Soliste V.
I found the Artiste to be too flexible ............. the scale was not good and the tonal quality too light for my taste.
Mark
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2010-11-12 23:11
Try Nora Post
I sure hope you try one for an extended period of time with another quality instrument next to it.
The Fossati's I've played for extended periods of time have had interesting bores, but European tuning, and needed a LOT of personal tuning.
The bell bore is very stuffy, and I needed a lot of reaming.
The rhodium plating would be a good idea, if 1. It wasn't so darn expensive, and 2. If it was thicker. As it is, the plating is super thin. A well-known dealer/repair person who was very familiar with these instruments who was fixing up some things on the instrument accidentally scratched the back of a key and the entire plating quickly scratched off, leaving an ugly revealed spot. She ended up putting bumper cork to conceal the scratch.
There are many brands which do double tenon rings (howarth, Loree Royal, etc.), and I think you would find yourself doing much better with another brand until Fossati makes some major changes.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
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Author: Hummingbird
Date: 2010-11-13 05:05
I had the luck of playing a 2009 Soliste V bore against a (used) 1999 Soliste traditional bore. The 'V'-bore seemed too easy to play, pitches were truly up to the player to determine. One quality I admired was the "reed-friendliness". Mediocre, or rather, inconsistent reeds sounded fantastic on this instrument, which the same reeds would sound so-so on a Laubin and Loree that was tested at the same time.
The 1999 Soliste, Trad. bore (and this is what I ended up with), gave me basically everything I wanted. Stable pitches, and reed-friendliness. (I currently use a Brannen X shape + Chudnow 'E' staple, with a fairly standard American scrape. The sound I get is the ideal oboe sound my brain conjures.)
People i've played for have commented on the unique, but pleasant tone that the instrument produces. I guess tone really is more dependent on the player and the reed, but some credit obviously still has to go to the instrument itself.
Granted, I am only a high school oboist, so you may wish to take my opinions with a grain of salt.
Post Edited (2010-11-13 05:06)
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Author: schurch
Date: 2010-11-15 22:10
Thanks Mark, cjwright and Hummingbird,
I really appreciate your input. I got a lot of (often strong/passionate) feedback speaking to others as well, and I am going to trial several oboes so I can really play and choose my favorite: Fossati 20th Anniversary, Howarth XL, Loree Royal AK, Marigaux 2001 and Rigoutat Expression. I have some friends to help play and listen with me so that over the next two weeks I can find the one that resonates with me best :-)
I'll let you know how it goes and what my experience is like.
Cheers,
Scott
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Author: schurch
Date: 2010-11-22 13:51
Hi Guys,
I read so much about all the oboe makers on this forum, and of course got some great feedback on the question that I asked, that I wanted to post an update of the oboes I tried and what my experience was in hopes that it might help somebody else who is reading through all the information out there. Of course, your milage may vary...
I am left with a difficult decision to make now ;-) Included in my trial was a Fossati 20th Anniversary, Howarth XL and Loree Royal, and a Marigaux 2001 and another Loree Royal AK. I had several sessions playing by myself and one listening party made of musicians.
The first one eliminated, and the one most different than the others was the Fossati, although everyone loved how beautiful it looked and how the keyword looked (and played) like fine jewelry. I was kind of disappointed, because that is the oboe I "wanted" to love the most because it was so unique. In fact, if it were all up to how an Oboe looked, that would have been my pick, but of course that is not so :-( It had good projection, but sounded a bit thin (perhaps my reed, level of playing, etc. could have been a factor and just wasn't a fit for "me.").
Not only would I describe, but the group described the Marigaux, Howarth and Loree as follows:
*BTW, I made sure not to give them any of my opinion/feedback until the very end after everyone had given their input as not to bias them, but it was amazing how (for the most part) the entire group came to the exact same conclusions of each oboe which was how I felt going into it.
• If one end of the spectrum is dark, round and maybe even a bit covered, then this would describe my experience of Marigaux. It felt reliable, had an even tone of the scale and perhaps a bit on the side of almost being limited, it always had a beautiful, mellow sound to it. Although projection wasn't a problem, it didn't have the level of projection as the Howarth and Loree.
• If the other end of the spectrum is more bold, silver, focused and deep, then this would describe my experience on the Loree (I did prefer one over there other so there really is a difference between individual oboes even of the same model and make). The key work on the Loree feels great and is solid, but is also the heaviest (I weighed them all!). The Loree seems a bit more sensitive to the quality of the reed, and although when I was being mindful I could make the instrument quite dark and lovely, it can also get quite wild and is very flexible. So unlike the Marigaux it isn't always pretty (again, take my own level of skill into account), but it seems capable of a wider variety of tone.
• The middle of this spectrum, would then describe my experience with the Howarth. I felt like it was very easy to move air through the instrument. Although not quite as dark/round/mellow as the Marigaux, it also wasn't as constrained, had a wider dynamic range and was easier to move air through. Although not quite as bright/silvery as the Loree was still very focused and had the same depth that makes the Loree and Howarth capable of sounding quite bold.
If all of these oboes were like cars, my experience was the Marigaux is like a Rolls-Royce quite refined and gentlemanly, whereas the Loree and Howarth is like a race-car with a lot of "gas". The Marigaux gave me a feeling of comfort and confidence because I felt like I knew I was going to be pretty and people would say "a-a-a-w" when I play. The Loree and Howarth sometimes made me unsure what sound was going to come out (sometimes not so nice), but when I did play well and gave the instruments what they wanted, people would say "wow" when I play.
So where I have ended up? Although I was hoping to have picked one from the bunch already, I have at least narrowed it down to two, and will do one more round of comparing/playing before I decide. In my experience, the Howarth crushed both of the Loree Royals that I tried – Loree is out for me. I am really torn between the Marigaux and the Howarth. I have a Buffet Greenline, to which I find this Howarth is more refined/more depth/less brassy than but more similar to than the Marigaux. So perhaps the Marigaux is a better choice for complimenting my Buffet? On the other hand, I certainly had a moment of Zen when playing the Howarth (isn't that what we all hope for?) and appreciate that it has some of the best qualities of the Marigaux and the Loree combined.
So I am hoping to set it up so I can trial two Howarths vs. two Marigauxs and just go with what my ears, fingers and more overly my heart say is the one to make a home for :-) I promise to let the group know what I decide, and if anyone else is trying to find their "oboe" I am happy to share what I experienced with you.
Cheers,
Scott
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Author: schurch
Date: 2010-11-30 12:32
And the winner is...
I was indeed fortunate to corral two Howarth XL and two Marigaux 2001 oboes to choose from. Going into the shoot-out I was *totally* favoring the XL over the 2001. Each day for about a week, I had 15-30 minutes sessions trading off between them all – playing long notes, low notes, high notes, scales and yes...even my favorite musical excepts. *I would have loved to included a Bulgheroni Opera, Patricola S7 Evoluzione and a Yamah 841-LT but I just couldn't find and/or arrange them all at the same time, but will at IDRS in June.
Ultimately, I love them both...yikes! They are very different – the XL is flexible, silvery, bold and free blowing, while the 2001 is a bit more restrained, warm/round and very stable. I actually knew after the first session of playing them both that my heart was starting to fall for the 2001 and I became more and more "attached" to it as the week went on.
I also rotated about a dozen of my reeds through them, for whatever reason with my reed making abilities (or lack thereof), the 2001 was *always* in tune, every note up the scale (with very minor adjustments in my embouchure to help the "issue" notes). Although I am sure with some changes to my reed making I could adjust to the XL (and for what reason I don't know why), but they played a little sharp for me. So as I played musical passages, the 2001 required the least effort (not to be confused with lazy though) and facilitated more confident playing because I always felt that what would come out would be warm and on pitch. Again, I did have "wow" moments with the XL, but I didn't' fall in love with these particular examples the way I did with the 2001 this time around.
This is going to sound sappy, but I really did consider all the things shared with me by so many knowledgeable folks, and tested each instrument accordingly. But ultimately, it became an emotional decision. For whatever ineffable reason, I fell in love with that particular 2001, when I thought it would be the XL to make me weak in the knees ;-) I was taken aback, but undeniably in lust.
It's great that we have so many choices to find our "perfect" oboe from – not only makers (Howarth is a very accessible oboe maker, as their team is very friendly and knowledgeable), but a couple of amazing retailers (like Midwest Musical Imports and RDG) that are well-equipped to help us in our quest. Of course your experience may (and likely will) be different than mine, so please don't take anything I have written as the gospel – ultimately I had to experience each for myself to really understand what works best for me.
So thank you to everyone that helped, and hopefully my post can help others looking for a new oboe – I kept a very open mind, reached out to some very kind people and found the oboe that was meant for me (this time around). That being said, there *is definitely* an XL in my future as it has it's own "magic" as well!
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