English Oboe Concertos
An elegant soloist shines in a concerto collection that never fails to delight
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Gustav Holst, Edward Elgar, (Aynsley) Eugene Goossens, Gordon (Percival Septimus) Jacob, Ralph Vaughan Williams
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: ASV
Magazine Review Date: 4/2004
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 67
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: CDDCA1173

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Concerto for Oboe and Strings |
Gordon (Percival Septimus) Jacob, Composer
Elgar Chamber Orchestra Gordon (Percival Septimus) Jacob, Composer Ruth Bolister, Oboe Stephen Bell, Conductor |
Soliloquy |
Edward Elgar, Composer
Edward Elgar, Composer Elgar Chamber Orchestra Ruth Bolister, Oboe Stephen Bell, Conductor |
(A) Fugal Concerto |
Gustav Holst, Composer
Elgar Chamber Orchestra Gustav Holst, Composer Kate Hill, Flute Ruth Bolister, Oboe Stephen Bell, Conductor |
Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra |
(Aynsley) Eugene Goossens, Composer
(Aynsley) Eugene Goossens, Composer Elgar Chamber Orchestra Ruth Bolister, Oboe Stephen Bell, Conductor |
Author: Ivan March
I can’t think of any other modern CD collection of English oboe concertos that I have enjoyed more than this. Ruth Bolister’s refined phrasing and elegance of articulation are captivating throughout, especially so in Elgar’s delicate Soliloquy (a fragment of an Oboe Suite, scored by Gordon Jacob). Jacob’s own First Concerto is the most substantial work in the programme, and given its recording première here. It was written for Evelyn Rothwell, although Leon Goossens then purloined it and gave the première in partnership with Beecham. In Ruth Bolister’s hands, the neo-Classical first movement is most divertingly presented and the wistfully yearning Andante is quite lovely, followed by a more characteristically pastoral closing Rondo.
In the Holst Fugal Concerto, flautist Kate Hill’s contribution is equally delightful; the opening Moderato brings a felicitous interplay, and the Adagio, with its flowing line reminding one of Bach, has surely never been more beautifully played on record. The Goossens Concerto is succinctly structured with spicy and unpredictable moments of astringency; the piece has a sombre lyrical core, yet ends genially. The closing work by Vaughan Williams then makes a perfect foil, its pastoral feeling naturally caught.
Stephen Bell’s accompaniments with the excellent Elgar Chamber Orchestra could not be more stylish, the string playing neat and polished, the lustrous recording, warm, natural, transparent and very much in the demonstration bracket. Very highly recommended.
In the Holst Fugal Concerto, flautist Kate Hill’s contribution is equally delightful; the opening Moderato brings a felicitous interplay, and the Adagio, with its flowing line reminding one of Bach, has surely never been more beautifully played on record. The Goossens Concerto is succinctly structured with spicy and unpredictable moments of astringency; the piece has a sombre lyrical core, yet ends genially. The closing work by Vaughan Williams then makes a perfect foil, its pastoral feeling naturally caught.
Stephen Bell’s accompaniments with the excellent Elgar Chamber Orchestra could not be more stylish, the string playing neat and polished, the lustrous recording, warm, natural, transparent and very much in the demonstration bracket. Very highly recommended.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.

Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.