Author: jamesoboe
Date: 2008-05-22 17:30
Bobo
you've hit it on the head entirely. Whenever I read these sort of boards where opinions can be divided over what people rate, or prefer, whichever side of the water one is on, very often examples are given of players who are no longer relevant to either side, other than as an historical reference. I don't think Neil Black, Sarah Francis, et al, would ever feature in any sort of bold defence of current british playing from me, though they have released many cds and consequently have enjoyed a worldwide distribution beyond their importance! Equally, Tabuteau cannot be used to reference today's great American oboists. Things have moved on so completely on certain levels that direct comparisons of Tabuteau with Klein, or Izotov, are meaningless and unfair. There are some extra-ordinary talents in France, Italy and Germany, who remain largely unknown as the recording industry ignores them in favour of the likes of Andrea Bocelli! And I imagine this is exactly the same in America. That said, for the patient admirer there are many avenues available to obtain and hear examples of the best the world has to offer. Thank goodness for Amazon, for example!
By the way, that Barber recording you mentioned, if it's from the Naxos label, is my friend Stephane Rancourt, before he took up the Halle post a few years ago. He's also recorded the Barber Canzonetta which is a wonderfully, haunting piece. You'll be interested to know, also, that I have the Joseph Robinson 'Legend' cd. Some lovely playing on it of a piece by Godard, if memory serves.
Suffice it to say, if an oboist does something that resonates with my musical sensibilities, then I'm sold, wherever they hail from. I have hundreds of oboe cds and could wax lyrical about various players, or pieces, or single tracks, or, indeed, certain turns of phrases which I love. It would be very interesting to share these discoveries with others from another style and background, and equally, to hear what recordings they admire, and why. Alas, due to geography, this is not practical!
So, best to keep sharing knowledge and discoveries via boards such as these, and we may find ourselves the better for it. James
Post Edited (2008-05-23 00:00)
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