English Oboe Concertos

An elegant soloist shines in a concerto collection that never fails to delight

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Gustav Holst, Edward Elgar, (Aynsley) Eugene Goossens, Gordon (Percival Septimus) Jacob, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre:

Orchestral

Label: ASV

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
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.

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