Oboe

History

Double reed instruments were found in Mesopotamia from about 3000 BC and later in the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. The oboe is a descendant of the 13th century shawm – a name used to describe an instrument played with a single or double reed.  During the 17th century, the treble shawm evolved into the hoboy or hautboy. The Cor Anglais, or English horn, is a longer and lower pitched relation of the oboe. It has a beautiful and haunting sound.

Oboe illustrated by The Dundercats

Facts & Features

  • Most professional oboe players make their own reeds. Reeds must be soaked in water before they are played, so they can vibrate well.
  • The name ‘oboe’ comes from the French ‘hautbois, which means ‘high’ or ‘loud wood’.
  • All the players of an orchestra will tune their instruments to the principal oboist’s note ‘A’.
  • Oboes are most often made of grenadilla, or African Blackwood, although some are made from rosewood or violetwood.
  • Playing the oboe requires as much or more air as playing the tuba!

Famous Players

Jean Hotteterre - (1610-1691)

Georg Philip Telemann - (1681-1767)

Josef Fiala - (1748-1816)

Antonio Pasculli - (1842-1924)

Evelyn Barbirolli - (1911-2008)

Music To Listen To

Corelli  - Concerto for Oboe

Mozart - Oboe Quartet

Ravel - Bolero

Dvorak - New World Symphony – Largo (Cor Anglais solo)

Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf

Find Out

  • When were keys added to the oboe?
  • Name two concertos written for the Cor Anglais.