 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: oboeblank
Date: 2004-05-10 22:05
I have played the beast twice;once with Orchestra and once for a concerto competition with piano. I just love the piece, it is beautiful and gorgeous, but then again I am a Strauss pig!
Let me start by saying that I can circular breath but I never once did it during this concerto. My feeling about circular breathing is that it can sound almost imhuman and at times ugly; and this is a concerto that should never sound ugly, ever!! I too own the Al Klein recording and it sounds beautiful and seamless but if you listen carefully you can hear the sound go from a wonderful vibratic sound to this straight oboe tone that sounds ridiculous. The melody should sound free and effortless, almost like one of his songs. I would play 8 bars then taper the half note b, sneak a quick and quiet breath and play the three pick up eighth notes leading into rehearsal number 1. Play another eight bars, taper the half note a, sneak a quick and quiet breath and play the three pick-up eighth notes leading into four bars before rehearsal number 2. Play another eight bars and put a slight lift and sneak a breath into the piano subito espressivo on the high a. After this point the eight bars doesn't work. I played from the piano subito espressivo on the high to rehearsal number 3 in one breath. That is thirteen bars! After three you've got two eighth rests where you can get rid of some air and then tank up to play the rest.
I love both of the recordings that you mentioned, but I would suggest you try to find the recording with Richard Woodhams and the Philadelphia Orchestra. I think that is by far the most elegant recording of the piece, and for me the definitive recording. Also, if you can swing it Elaine Douvas of the Met opera orchestra is playing the concerto at Carnegie Hall on the 21 of May. Also the amazing John Ferillo is performing it in November with the BSO and Woodhams is performing it in Janurary.
Hope this helps.
By the way is the concerto competition the Boston Symphony competition? Who is your teacher there?
|
|
|
TheSouthpaw |
2004-05-09 00:19 |
|
oboeblank |
2004-05-10 22:05 |
|
TheSouthpaw |
2004-06-01 20:47 |
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
