Valparaiso, Indiana

Concerto for Oboe and Strings (Movement I Introduzione) by Cimarosa

Published by Boosey and Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.

# 1

This first movement of the concerto is based around the first five notes-a  turn (grupetto) around the note “C” (c,d,c,b,c).  Be sure to use the trill key for “D” each time this grupetto appears both on the staff and an octave higher.

# 2

It is best to perform the piece with the beat of the eighth note rather than the quarter note.  The rhythms suggest a subdivided beat.   With the eighth note beat the tempo needs to keep moving.  Do not play this movement too slowly.

# 3

When moving between “Ab” and “Bb” use your second finger of your left hand for the best connection between these two notes.  Keep your fingers close to the keys throughout this movement.   It is important that the oboist performs the piece as a violinist would perform it-“with lots of bow.”

# 4

The ad.lib. is performed in cadenza style with the tempo varying between gradually slow to gradually fast and back to gradually slow tempos.  Start the tempo very slowly and gradually increase the tempo to the “Eb” and gradually decrease the tempo to “Bb”.  Take a breath and start slowly on the low “D” and gradually increase the tempo to “B” natural and gradually slow down to the final note of the ad. lib. which is a “C”. Continue with the  regular tempo on the turn (grupetto)  from the first measure one octave higher (c,d,c,b,c).

# 5

The pp section (last two lines) starts with the repeated turn (grupetto) pattern from measure one.  Be sure to tongue the fifth and sixth notes of the pattern-do not slur these two notes.  The tonguing here should be very legato.  Stretch these notes like you were bowing the notes and include the marked crescendo and diminuendo.

# 6

The molto rit. should start slowly but with force (con forza) with all notes connected.  The marking on the high “C” indicates playing the turn (grupetto) from measure one  an octave higher using the “D” trill key followed by the regular high “D” fingering and followed by the high “Eb” fingering by adding the left pinky finger.  This entire scale pattern is forte.  Take a breath.  The next two notes are tongued,  separated and suddenly piano.

# 7

Give yourself plenty of time to practice this piece.  It is best to perform this movement for family, friends, and classmates before your first public performance.  The above information is performed on YouTube.  Go to our home page and click on ADVANCED OBOE.  This will connect you to our YouTube videos for advanced oboists.  Click on # 16.  Traditionally, this first movement is performed with the second movement for level I contest performances.  Good luck with your practicing and performances.