| The oboe played an important role in eighteenth-century musical society, with composers such as Handel, Vivaldi and Telemann making wide use of it as a solo, chamber and orchestral instrument. A favourite with J.S. Bach, the oboe and its family featured significantly in the composer's life in Leipzig where many of his large scale choral works were produced.
During the nineteenth century, the instrument was almost entirely relegated to the orchestra; only a handful of composers regarded it as a suitable solo instrument. However it was revived in the twentieth century by pioneers such as Léon Goossens and Janet Craxton studying, performing and teaching in London. Other players helping to reaffirm the musical capabilities of the oboe as a solo instrument included Evelyn Rothwell (Lady Barbirolli), who with her duo partner Valda Aveling (harpsichord) realized the potential of combining these two instruments. They encouraged some of England's most respected composers to use the harpsichord in duo sonata form for the first time since the eighteenth century, and this CD presents four pieces which were written for them in 1963 and 1972.
Copyright Althea Ifeka and Katharine May 2005 |
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