Author: d-oboe
Date: 2005-12-18 23:44
I don't know if it's so much "giving in" to a common sound, but rather, that players are now becoming aware of all the different possibilities of sound, and can sample from each.
This is mostly due to the extremely high standard of recording technology now available. An oboist can hear a multitude of players, and can even compare many recordings of the same work - all from the comfort of a living room chair!
As North Americans we - sometimes errouneously - think that our sound is the nicest, and that people are starting to change to *our* sound. However, it goes both ways! Compare recordings of 30-40 years ago, with today's recordings: the oboists sound different!
The "American" sound so idealised by Tabuteau - I mean his exact sound, and concept of playing - is around, but it is less prominent, as his students (Mack, DeLancie, etc.) have less and less influence in the oboe world.
Players today - I think - are actually more globally aware. For example - They listen to a recording of a piece by "X" and like his use of vibrato. So, when they play the piece, they use it in a similar way. They listen to the same piece recorded by "Q" and like the smoothness of an ascending scale, and will strive to play it like that. Yet another recording by "Z" plays a disjunct, but exciting ascending scale, and uses less vibrato.
Does it matter than one was German, the other was French, and another was North American, and would probably disagree about everything?! No!
Every player has something to give, and there is nothing wrong with borrowing and learning. It simply increases the size of the palette of musical devices from which we can choose...
D
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