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Electrifying Oboe

Three themes unite this double CD: improvisation, electronics, and works written for Christopher Redgate. The themes of improvisation and electronics are both represented by a wide range of approaches: from the choice of structural elements in a work (Gorton) through to a work with a very minimal guide score (Redgate) and no score at all (Young). The electronics range from a prerecorded ‘accompaniment’ (Fox) through to an algorithm which records, processes and improvises alongside live improvisations (Young).

The research background focuses upon the central themes of the CD. With the improvisational elements Redgate was able to expand his skills by developing a range of strategies for large scale performances as well as being able to articulate a number of new areas of musical language. In addition, Redgate was able to explore and develop new areas of extended technique work. A significant number of the strategies developed also informed the research work of the Howarth-Redgate oboe.

The CD also develops the use of electronics with the oboe. It includes one work from the established historic repertoire (Roxburgh), albeit reworked using contemporary technology, and, works using a range of different technologies.

Christopher Fox’s Headlong was written for the musette (a piccolo oboe). This follows a different strand of research, the development of the less used instruments of the oboe family (the use of the lupophon in Finnissy’s Âwâz-e Niyâz is another example of this work). While these instruments are occasionally written for, they rarely have attention given to them and a great deal of their potential has been left unexplored. A continuing commissioning project for these instruments is adding not only repertoire but also extending knowledge of the performance practices of these instruments.