Author: CocoboloKid
Date: 2011-05-12 21:47
Well I certainly appreciate the compliment, Robin! When I think of Jonathan's gorgeous lyrical playing, though, or Cooper's technical mastery, it makes me want to lock myself in a room with a Ferling book and never come out.
I'd be happy to talk about my Fossati, but the thing to bear in mind about it is that my oboe is about 10 years old, and Fossatis have changed IMMENSELY in the past few years, with the new ownership of the company, so my oboe is in no way representative of what they are currently putting out into the market.
(That said, it is my opinion that what they are currently putting out are some of the finest oboes on the planet.)
My instrument is first and foremost, very comfortable under the fingers. It's like the keys were molded under my hands, just for me. The thumbrest is an abysmal nightmare in terms of positioning, but that can be easily remedied (why I have not done it yet, I do not know.)
It is also beautiful...the wood that Fossati uses is top notch, and the shape and styling of their keywork is, to me, exquisite. Every time I look at it, I'm glad I own it.
Playing wise, I find it very reed-friendly. Just about any old reed you toss in it will produce a pretty pleasing sound, and the response (particularly in the bottom register) is excellent.
Soundwise, it's entirely too damn bright for my tastes. I do everything I can to mellow it out and darken it up, and it just doesn't work. It is a very lovely sound if you like that sort of sound, but it is not my favorite sound. It is very, I suppose one might say, "French". It's light, it's piquant, it's easily capable of cutting through textures and riding on top of any combination of instruments (and consequently, records very well, as in the off-Broadway cast album I just played it on), but I cannot for the life of me get the creamy, dark, Howarth XL-y Marigaux-y sound I crave on it.
I will eventually get rid of it and buy another oboe when I can afford it, and it will most likely be another Fossati, (the MB Soliste, perhaps), but of course I might also fall madly in love with something else. Who can tell?
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