Two of the most significant recent publications deal with contemporary
techniques, and are mentioned in Janet Craxton's article. They are New
Sounds for Woodwind by Bruno Bartolozzi (Oxford University Press), and its
follow-up for oboists, Lawrence Singer's Metodo per Oboe (Edizioni
Suvini Zerboni). The Singer book is particularly valuable, and will be
considered in some detail in a future issue.
Oboe Reed Making - A Modern Method by Peter and Elizabeth Hedrick (Swift-Dorr Publications) clearly sets forth the important steps in reed-making for beginners. A feature of the book is the outstanding photography, in which reed scrapes are shown through backlighting. The style of scrape seen is now predominant in this country, and is known as the "American" or "Tabuteau" style.
The Oboe Player's Encyclopedia by Robert E. Stanton (Swift-Dorr Publications) is an extremely ambitious undertaking. The book includes a list of literature for oboe and English horn (solo and in combination with other instruments), a list of solo recordings, and lists of double-reed suppliers and repairmen. The bibliography is an expansion of Evelyn Rothwell's listings in Oboe Technique (Oxford University Press), from Mr. Stanton's suggestions, his tastes would seem to run to the conservative. In a work of this scope there are bound to be some omissions, but I was surprised to find no mention of so significant a work as the Vaughan-Williams Oboe Concerto. Still, this should be an invaluable reference work for oboists.
Jean-Claude Malgoire. Le Hautbois Moderne (CBS S-34-61142)
Works of Jolivet Ton-That Tiet, Holliger, Castiglioni, and Shinohara.
Heinz Holliger. The-Spectacular Heinz Holliger (Philips 6500 202) Works of Huber, Berio Lehmann, Holliger, Castiglioni, and Krenek.
Heinz Holliger. Penderecki, Capriccio for Oboe and Strings (Wergo WER 314).
These three recordings are splendid examples of the contemporary techniques listed in Janet Craxton's article. The performances are brilliant; the works included are among the most important contributions to the oboe literature in recent years.
John Mack and Joseph Turner, oboes, Patricia Grignet, English horn. Beethoven, Trio in C Major, Opus 87 (Marlboro Recording Society MRS-4). An outstanding example of the best traditions of American oboe-playing, recapturing the exciting performance of this work at the l966 Marlboro Festival.
Joseph Turner, oboe. Nielsen, Quintet, Opus 43 (Marlboro Recording Society MRS-5). These two records are available only from the Mar lboro Recording Society, 1430 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102. $6.50 per record.
Janet Craxton, oboe. Priaulx Rainier, Quanta (Argo ZRG 660). A fine performance of this intriguing work for oboe,violin viola, and cello, composed in 1962.
Lothar Koch, oboe and Karl Steins, oboe: Mozart, The Wind Concertos (Angel SC-3783). Two beautiful performances of these works by the principals of the Berlin Philharmonic. Koch is soloist in the Concerto, K. 314; Steins in the Sinfonia Concertante, K. 297b.
Heinz Holliger (Philips 6500 174). Mozart, Concerto in C, K. 314 and Strauss, Oboe Concerto. Ideal performances of these landmarks of the oboe repertoire. The cadenzas in the Mozart are stunning! Edo de Waart, who conducts the New Philharmonia in these performances, was an oboist in the Concertgebouw Orchestra before he became a conductor.
Gunther Passin, oboe and oboe d'amore . Virtuoso Oboe Concertos (Schwann Musica Mundi VMS 2022). This record includes concertos of Dittersdorf, Fasch, Platti, and Stolzel. The Dittersdorf A major d'amore concerto is especially appealing; it seems to be so to the soloist as well!
Harry Shulman, oboe. Schumann, Three Romances, and Poulenc, Sonata (Lyrichord 7193). These performances are a beautiful memento of this artist at his best.