Bach and his relation to Oboe family
After listening to Nandhalala score by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and the extensive use of Oboe in his score tempted me to go behind this wonderful instrument. The detail, history and family this instrument has left me spellbound. Again to my surprise, from baroque era only good development of Oboe actually started which coincidentally our topic currently.
Can you imagine the first oboe (or a family of oboe) was seen around 5000 years ago? It seems Europe received a form of double read pipe from East around 12th century, eventhough this woodwind instrument is known much earlier in greece with a name called aulos. In 14th century England used oboes for ceremonies and rituals, but the sound of these oboes were more rustic. By 17th century, France made oboes which sounded sweet, unique but piercing with 3 keys, which later got expanded with more keys and ranges by 18th and 19th centuries. Only from 17th century the real development of oboes began. By 17th century it is again baroque period where the first sweet oboe came into existence. The range of baroque oboe is from Middle C to high D (D after the treble D). So its mostly in and above the treble clef range.
In the family of oboe, there are mainly four types, Oboe, Oboe d'amore, English horn or Cor anglais and Bass Oboe. There is even Oboe da caccia which is curved. Oboe d'amore is longer the Oboe, Cor anglais is longer than Oboe d'amore, and Bass Oboe is longer than Cor anglais.
Oboe d'amaore is very popular and extensively used by Bach in his concerto and cantatas. It range is from A (lower to middle C) to higher than high D. Another one in the family is the English horn (it seems the name is a misnomer) or cor anglais which is from F (fifth down from middle C) to high B. The third in the family is bass oboe which is very rarely used, and it's range is one octave below the oboe.
Bach Oboe Concerto (with strings and bass continuo) in G minor BWV 1056 by Cologne Chamber Orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93-2w...eature=related
Bach Easter Oratario (BWV 249) with Baroque Oboe d'amore. Stunning vocal. Watch Oboe d'amore in close and also supported by Bassoon (I think) to give bass support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydmuYoqkLIw
I was looking for a video for the actual baroque oboe instead of modern one and luckily I got it. That too how. It's harpsichord, viola da Gamba, Oboe and Archlute which we discussed earlier. Can't be more exiting than this. The tonal and sound quality of baroque oboe is definitely better than the modern ones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HBIw8-eXds
Oboe and Baroque music are inseparable as many composers apart from Bach, like Vivaldi, Handel, Marcello, Albioni, to name a few, has also used it, but only Bach has used Oboe d'amore extensively.
If you are interested in modern Oboe family:
Modern Oboe d'amore Demonstration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSUtWXXd_bM
Modern Bass Oboe Demonstration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAM-VMvgIjM
