MODERN MUSIC AND VERSATILITY: POST WWII WORKS FOR OBOE & ENGLISH HORN DOUBLING

There are many situations in the professional world of music where players are expected to perform on both oboe and English horn, but the skill of doubling is often overlooked at the collegiate level. Also, due to the vast quantity and familiarity of “standard” pieces, music of our time is sometimes neglected. The goal of my dissertation was to address each of these two issues by performing three recitals of unfamiliar new works where each piece requires the soloist to play both instruments. Every recital contained one unaccompanied piece, two works with piano accompaniment, and at least one duet with an instrument other than piano. The selected works had a multitude of demands including extreme ranges, complex rhythms, and extended techniques i.e. multiphonics. Some works contained borrowed material while others made use of choreography and lighting. One piece involved electronics and another was commissioned. The fundamentals of oboe playing and the standard repertoire will always be important. However, it seems logical that proficiency on both English horn and oboe, and expertise in the extended techniques and styles of contemporary music would enhance any oboist's professional and artistic opportunities. It is hoped that this project will illustrate the value of these pursuits and introduce oboists to a relatively unknown body of works.

Department dc:contributor.department

Music

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Drewes, Noelle

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hill, Mark

Statement dc:rights

• NOTICE: Recordings accompanying this record are available only to University of Maryland College Park faculty, staff, and students and cannot be reproduced, copied, distributed or performed publicly by any means without prior permission of the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13405

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:drum.lib.umd.edu:1903/13405