As I come across new works, recordings, extended technique resources, and anything else that catches my fancy, I will write about it here.

July 2020:

MELINDA MAXWELL: Here’s a live masterclass, "Introduction to Contemporary Oboe”, presented by British oboist Melenda Maxwell. She played part of Birtwhistle’s “Pulse Sampler”, Simon Holt’s “Raw Air”, and Maxwell’s own, “Sounding Out Varese”, based on “Octandre”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v-df-_hxxU&t=442s.

JACKIE LECLAIR TUTORIALS: I wrote about them below. See www.nuoboe.com and YouTube. In addition to extended techniques, she includes many great suggestions for all dimensions of oboe playing, including the psychological.

CIRCULAR BREATHING AND FLUTTER TOUNGUING: Jacqueline LeClair, master oboist and friend, offers tutorials about these two techniques on her website:  www.nuoboe.com

REPERTOIRE: OBOE AND ELECTRONICS: "Labyrinth Meditations" by Clay Mettens.  Here's a live performance from April of 2014, masterfully performed by Erin Lansing: https://soundcloud.com/david-clay-mettens/labyrinthmeditations/s-sHQ08  This is a cool piece which uses extended techniques very musically.  If you want to contact the composer, here's his website: www.mettensmusic.com

WONDERFUL WILD AND CRAZY OBOE TRIO CDS:  Threeds is an oboe trio based in New York City.  They have recorded two CDs, and both use extended techniques in a few of their pieces. "Unraveled" and "Palette".  http://www.threedsoboetrio.com  I love how Kathy Halverson integrates a few ex techs into her solos on pieces such as their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."  Mark Snyder and Katie Scheele are the other fine and adventurous oboists.  Disclaimer: When their recording of Zappa's "Peaches and Regalia" was too nice, they invited me to add a few tracks of raving oboe honks.  The result is on their Palette CD.

REPERTOIRE: DOUBLE REED ENSEMBLE: Jeff Perry, Professor at LSU and dear friend, wrote a tres cool piece for double reed ensemble, "Anatid Overture."  It's for two oboes, English horn, and two bassoons.  No extended techniques, but quite a groove.  Here's a finale mockup:  https://soundcloud.com/jeff-perry-5/anatid-overture-052014?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

If you want a score, contact Jeff at jperry@lsu.edu