INSTRUMENTS IN THE ORCHESTRA:
(7) The Oboe
HE seventh of a series of short articles on the instruments of the National Orchestra, written to help interested listeners towards a more informed appreciation of orchestral music and_a better understanding of the resources at the command of the conductor,
HE oboe consists of a tube, about two feet in lengthwith a conical bore-usually made in three sections, the bell and "the upper and lower joints, It is ‘sounded by means of a double reed mouthpiece, consisting of two thin and narrow strips of reed fastened to a staple with a tiny space between them. It is
a difficult instrument ‘to
play, perfect control of the breath and tongue being required in order to ensure the production of even sounds. The reed is very delicate and if it becomes at all damaged, or unduly damp, the tone of the sounds produced suffers badly. The Boehm system of keys is used.
instruments of this type were used by the ancient Egyptians before the beginning of the Christian era, and there is evidence of their having been used in England by the members of Caesar’s occupation force. A family of these instruments arose, those with the higher voices becoming known as hautboys, mispronunciation of which gave us in time the name oboe. The early hautboys had a very loud tone, but the voice of the oboe today is clear and melancholy. Most composers since the time of Mozart and Beethoven have allowed for the presence of the oboe in their orchestrations, and it has been given parts in some chamber music. It is frequently to be heard playing solo passages in a work for full orchestra, but there are few works in which it has the principal part. One of the exceptions to this, and a work in which the instrument can be heard to its best advantage, is "The Swan of Tuonela," by _ Sibelius. The National Orchestra has three oboes. SC
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 426, 22 August 1947, Page 11
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327INSTRUMENTS IN THE ORCHESTRA: New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 426, 22 August 1947, Page 11
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