Holliger: Graun, Telemann, Krebs – Oboe Concertos (FLAC)

Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Archiv
Size: 298 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Johann Gottlieb Graun (1702/03 – 1771)
Concerto in C minor for Oboe
1. (Allegro)
2. Affettuoso
3. Allegro molto

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 – 1767)
Concerto in A major for Oboe d’amore
4. Siciliano
5. Allegro
6. Largo
7. Vivace

Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713 – 1780)
Concerto for Harpsichord & Oboe in B minor
8. Moderato
9. Amabile
10. Presto

Heinz Holliger
Camerata Bern
Alexander van Wijnkoop (Graun, Krebs),
Thomas Furi (Telemann)

Excellent Background into Oboe Usage in 18th Century

Line notes are very informative. Didn’t know that oboe didn’t come into formal usage as we know of it until mid-17th Century in France. No wonder that country still produces best of this instrument.
Thus, here we have four concertos for oboe and orchestra from 17th C, two from beginning and two towards the end.
Learned that Vivaldi wrote 11 concertos for oboe plus two more for oboe and orchestra. The one on this recording is from 1716 and features in the third movement ample rythm for the wonderful solo work which are framed by the tuttis.
Although introduced to Marcello here and fascinated to learn that Bach transcripted much of his harpsichord pieces for Duke Ernst at Weimar. Intense oboe piece of melancholy and stillness.
Haydn’s Concerto in C is under dispute it seems for his composition, but as notes state: “would by no means be displeased with its subsequent attribution to him.” Ending Rondo is excellent.
Interesting that Mozart’s Oboe Concerto in C was not discovered until 1949, since for years it was under the form of his Concerto in D major for flute, which he had transposed it. Originally written for Fereiendi, principal oboeist at Salzburg Orchestra, it is light and charming, with very bright finale.