 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Thomas.
Date: 2006-07-27 08:08
I found this by googling:
The Viennese oboe
In Vienna, a unique oboe has been preserved with its bore and tonal characteristics remaining unchanged in use to the present day. This Akademiemodel oboe, invented in the early 20th century by Hermann Zuleger, is now made by a select few makers, notably Guntram Wolf and Yamaha. Apart from its use in the major Viennese orchestras, which continue to exploit the Akademiemodel's unique color, it is not used.
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Author: oboist
Date: 2006-07-27 08:12
Hi!
In Viena for already more than 150 years sort of "Romantic" oboe is in used.
It has different fingering ,different shape of the bell (large) ,the reed is wide and short.Very much alike baroque oboe.Oboes don't have low B flat,sound is warm and pleasant.
For many decades the make of this instrument was "Zuleger",but in recent years Yamaha make those butifull instruments exclusively for Vienna Philharmonic and Opera
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Author: Thomas.
Date: 2006-07-27 08:33
Here is an interesting site I found:
http://iwk.mdw.ac.at/Forschung/english/wrinst/ewroboe1.htm
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-07-27 08:37
Yamaha's first venture into the oboe market was the Vienna model, though it did limit their sales due to the fact these are only used by Viennese players and a small amount of enthusiasts outside Austria. I remember seeing one in the late '80s in Lewington's in London (who was the UK's main Yamaha dealer back then) - pretty impressive looking instrument, though the keywork is very basic in comparison to a modern full Gillet conservatoire oboe.
But they came to their senses and copied a Loree for worldwide appeal, then several changes in design later (still borowing from the major French makers) and their Gillet conservatoire oboes are as you now know them.
Guntram Wolf makes Vienna oboes with conservatoire system for those not familiar with Zuleger-style keywork, and offers them with low Bb as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2006-07-27 08:40)
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Author: wrowand
Date: 2006-07-27 12:54
Yes, I'm sure Yamaha copied other makers at the beginning (a Yamaha salesman told me that one model was like a Loree and another like a Marigaux). But I don't think anyone truly starts with a clean slate. Their oboes now, at least the 841 with which I'm familiar, are very different from the oboes made by the french makers.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-07-27 13:04
>>Their oboes now, at least the 841 with which I'm familiar, are very different from the oboes made by the french makers<<
How so, Woody?
I tried a Yamaha 841 a year ago, and it didn't particularly move me, but I couldn't put my finger on just what it was.
Susan
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-07-27 14:23
I had an 821TP when I started playing again after a ten year break, and break being the operative word - I broke my B&H Regent in half which was probably the best thing that happened to it - I couldn't get on with it at all.
It was alright but obviously not as good as a Marigaux, Loree or Rigoutat which were the three influential factors of the Yamaha, and I struggled with the saggy Gs on it. But I sold it to a player that likes it, she wanted to replace her aged Loree with a new one, but couldn't afford it so mine was nearer her price range.
The problem with the 821TP was the keywork - it was a standard 821 with a thumbplate added (and not a very well designed one at that!), but the 3rd 8ve key was the same as a non-thumplate system (overlapping the back 8ve) making it impossible to use, but I had it all sorted out after joining Howarths, and some other keywork alterations to make it feel more like my Marigaux cor.
Since then their current thumbplate (or dual) system oboes are much better designed. But most players are more likely to go for a Marigaux, Loree, Rigoutat or Howarth XL - or really push the boat out and get a Dupin.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: wrowand
Date: 2006-07-27 15:19
Here are my impressions of the Yamaha 841:
By and large the 841s have a very good scale. Generally better than the many Lorees and the 5 or 6 Marigaux that I've tried. The low register is much easier and better in tune than both Loree regular and AK bores though not quite as easy as it is on a Marigaux. The high register above high C, and particularly the high C# and D, are down to pitch and don't have to be lipped down in relationship to the 2nd octave-key notes as on most Lorees. The only tuning issues I've encountered on my current 841 were with the middle and high B-nat and B-flat, which were slightly flat. This was easily remedied by increasing the undercutting.
The tone on the 841 is generally darker, though less "refined" (by that I mean there is a little bit more noise in the tone) compared to most Lorees. But, the tone is very even over the range of the instrument, more so, in my opinion, than most Lorees and Marigaux.
The keywork on the Yamaha is good. I haven't found it to be bendy at all. The oboe holds its adjustment as well as any I've tried. It's not as elegant as Loree keywork, but I haven't found there to be any problems in getting around on the instrument. I don't find Marigaux keywork to be quite as nice as Loree either and I find that the left-hand F key on the Marigaux 901 is lower (requiring a farther reach) than is comfortable for me (having played Lorees for 25 years), and from a purely aesthetic point-of-view, I don't think much of the Marigaux 2000 or M2 keywork. But that's just a matter of taste, chacun a son gout.
The Yamaha I'm currently playing is a one-year-old Kingwood 841T and it has three cracks. I've had them all repaired and there has been no effect on the sound. I don't know if this is a large number of cracks for a kingwood instrument or not.
I've heard that the Loree Royale has a generally better scale than their regular model but I haven't tried enough of these to know for myself. I also haven't tried enough other makers like Buffet, Fossati, Rigoutat or Howarth to have an opinion about them, although there are many fine players who play on them and sound great. Of course there are many wonderful sounding players of Lorees, Marigaux, Yamaha and Laubin as well. A friend of mine was trying a Buffet recently that had the most beautiful sound of any oboe I've ever tried. I don't know whether this was typical and I didn't play the oboe long enough to have an opinion about any other aspect of it.
I think it's great that we've lived to see the day when there are so many companies producing quality oboes.
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2006-08-05 16:08
Thanks for your Yamaha review. THey're very appealing, particularly since they're $1800+ cheaper.
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