Miroslav Hosek is principal oboist of the opera orchestra at Olomouc and Professor of Oboe at the Conservatory at Kromeriz. Other than listing oboe literature he is engaged in 'teaching oboe pupils in the age from 9 to 10 years. He has been intensively striving for several years for international cooperation of oboe players an over the world. His works in manuscript: METHOD FOR THE YOUNGEST OBOISTS {4 volumes), TECHNICAL STUDIES FOR OBOE {6 volumes); WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN OBOIST? (popular book on the oboe). CATALOG OF OBOE LITERATURE BY CZECH AND SLOVAK AUTHORS was published in 1969 by the Czechoslovak Music Information Centre Prague.
Miroslav Hosek
I am very happy to have the opportunity of offering my Catalog of oboe literature (published this year) to oboists. This should be considered but the very beginning of an action which could mean a great progress in our specialty for the future.
But first a few words about my book.
It comprehends 400 pages; text in German. Editor is HEINRICHS-HOFEN'S VERLAG, Wilhelmshaven, GFR. The publication is especially due to the efforts of Mr. Florian Noetzel, leading representative of the house. The book includes a short foreword both from the author and editor, followed by a list of abbreviations in German, English, French, and Italian languages. The next 13 pages contain a list of pedagogical literature, methods, and etudes. The subsequent 267 pages of the text constitute the main list of compositions arranged alphabetically by composers. There are originals and transcriptions for oboe from solo up to ensembles of 16 instruments, including 11 instruments with orchestra. The following 47 pages contain a list of the catalogued works arranged according to instrumental combination. It includes 1,000 combinations, which facilitates a prompt and accurate orientation in the catalog containing 4,000 titles. Information on acquiring possibilities is listed with each title. The following list of publishers takes 8 pages; subsequent 4 pages are dedicated to a list of literature - books and articles - on the oboe. The catalog may prove useful not only to oboists but also all those interested in chamber music.
This bibliography is designated as volume I, which indicates that subsequent volumes are to follow. This is very desirable because there exists lots and lots of oboe music not listed herein. While working on this compilation I discovered that it is beyond the scope of a single man to search out all existing compositions for oboe. Therefore this material must be compiled with the joint forces of us all. In consideration of my experience I dare claim that an estimation of 20,000 titles being possible is not excessive. Those who always claim that music for the oboe is scarce should become silent!
To compile and list the greatest possible amount of it should constitute the task number 1.
Assembling the listed music in the IDRS's unique Library should be the task number 2.
Only then the task number 3 could be accomplished successfully, namely the critical evaluation of all listed and collected works.
To progress successfully and achieve fulfillment within a short time, cooperation of us all is needed. I have been calling for international cooperation already before IDRS was formed and believe that our joint efforts in compiling oboe literature will get on with equal enthusiasm as the developing of IDRS's aims and its objectives does.
How can you be helpful to my endeavours? This is plain sailing! Once you have a copy of my Bibliography Nr. l. and discover that a particular composition you have knowledge of is not listed herein, put down a note of: author, name of the work, instrumental combination, editor or owner / proprietor / possessor, and mail these particulars to my address. I shall be thankful for any information and help of this kind.
You can write in English, French, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish and Esperanto languages.
I appeal to student-oboists all over the world for cooperation. In the course of time I intend to publish the names of all my contributors in compiling the catalog of oboe literature in this distinguished journal.
In concluding this article I should like to ask the representatives of IDRS to adopt my scheme "compiling - collecting - evaluating" and am convinced that the realization lies within the organizational and financial possibilities of the IDRS. I am determined to do my utmost for this purpose.
Hoping that my OBOE-BIBLIOGRAPHY I. may be useful to every oboist,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Miroslav Hosek,
Oldrich Stibor Theatre
772
00 OLOMOUC
Czechoslovakia
EDITOR'S NOTE: Copies of the Catalog of Oboe Literature by Czech and Slovak Authors, kindly donated by Mr. Hosek, are available in the IDRS Library.