Oboe Music by Britten; Bliss and Bax

Oboe Music by Britten; Bliss and Bax

Britten: Phantasy Quartet 

Bax: Oboe Quintet 

Bliss: Oboe Quintet 

Gordon Hunt (Oboe), The Tale Quartet 

The haunting, distinctive sound of the double-reed oboe is the star of these three compositions from Britain during that era between the World Wars. Benjamin Britten was yet a student, Sir Arnold Bax was in mid career stretching out to new forms, and Sir Arthur Bliss was already a noted conductor. Composed for the competition of the Cobbett Chamber Music Prize, Britten's Phantasy Quartet of some 13 minutes has seven continuous sections written tightly. The winning work was well received and first performed on the BBC in 1933. Bax's Quintet for Oboe and String Quartet {awkward if precise title, that; Oboe Quintet would have sufficed) is romantic and lyrical, beginning as a rhapsody, developing in a pastoral meander, and closing as an Irish jig of his own invention. The Bliss Quintet reflects his discard of traditional training, his experience of French Impressionism during his service in World War I, and his sojourn to America. The music darts here and there, full of whimsy, lyricism, and rhythmic emphases. The oboe is played high and low, fast and slow. Gordon Hunt, oboe, proved his talent in this and the earlier pieces. The Tale Quartet of Sweden makes up the strings and while providing accompaniment in the main, their interplay has orchestral quality and adds color. Together, their performances are splendid. Recorded in 1995 in a church, the engineering is also first rate. If you are a fan of the oboe (including the oboe of jazzman Paul McCandless), this album will bring much pleasure.