Chapter 9: Recommended Listening & Methods
IN THIS LESSON:
Learn about some recommended Oboe players to listen to as well as method books to advance your performance.
Congratulations on making it to the final chapter!
This course has only scratched the surface of Oboe performance and it is up to you to continue your growth as a player! One way to help develop your playing is to listen to great examples of professional Oboists to develop your concept of sound. Here are some recommended artists to get your listening journey started. I encourage you to utilize the fantastic resource that is the internet to dive deeper into your listening journey!
While listening, try to think critically about what you are hearing. Why do these professionals sound the way that they do? What makes their sound different than yours, and how can you work to sound more like them?
Marcel Tabuteau
Tabuteau, a French native who became an American citizen, is considered the founder of the American school of oboe playing. He served as principal oboist of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1915 to 1954 and taught at the Curtis Institute of Music (as well as privately) from 1925, one year after Curtis opened its doors, until his retirement in 1954. During those years he established a large influence on the standards of classical music performance in the United States. He has a unique tone that is so elegant!
Heinz Holliger
One of the most famous oboe soloists of the twentieth century, Swiss oboist Heinz Holliger won the first prize in the International Geneva Competition at 20 years old. His international career took off shortly after, and he became one of the worlds leading Oboists. An incredible body of contemporary oboe music exists thanks to Holliger, with composers including Olivier Messiaen, Toru Takemitsu Luciano Berio, Krzysztof Penderecki, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Witold Lutosławski and Elliott Carter all writing works with Holliger in mind. Holliger’s sound is so intense and vibrant. My personal favorite on this list due to his commanding nature as a soloist.
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione is the principal Oboe of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has performed as guest principal oboe with the orchestras of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, St. Louis, Detroit, KBS, Baltimore, Rochester, Buffalo, Jacksonville and the Orpheus and St. Paul Chamber Orchestras. She has been featured on NPR's "From the Top," has also performed at many chamber music festivals throughout the country and as a soloist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. I love how sweet and tender she makes the Oboe sound. The expressive qualities in her playing are incredible.
Method Books
There are many method books to choose from, but these are a few that can help get you started. These books can easily be purchased online or you can check at your local music store.
The Rubank Method Books have three volumes (beginner, intermediate and advanced. They consist of many tone & technique development studies.
The Barret Oboe Method book is considered a “gold" standard” for developing Oboists. It includes many articulation students, scale studies, and performance pieces
