Posts Tagged ‘solo contest’

Step # 13 Solos for the Intermediate Oboist: Concerto # 8 in Bb ( Movement I-Adagio) by Handel

Concerto # 8 in Bb ( Movement I-Adagio) by George Frederick Handel

Published by G. Schirmer, Inc.

This piece is part of a collection of oboe solos titled SOLOS FOR THE OBOE PLAYER  Edited by Whitney Tustin

# 1

The tempo of the movement is Adagio with the eighth note receiving the beat ( M.M. = 80).  It would be good to marking each eighth note beat in every measure before practicing this movement.  Thus, there will be 8 eighth note beats in every measure.  The quarter note receives two beats, the dotted quarter note receives three beats and the sixteenth notes receive a half beat.  Every rhythm is twice as long as in 4/4 time.

# 2

The first note is “F”.  Use the regular “F’ fingering-not forked “F”.  Use the appropriate “F” fingerings throughout the piece as is appropriate.  The dynamic is piano (soft) but play with a singing sound.  Never play soft like you are struggling to get out the sound.   Observe all crescendo and diminuendo markings.  The key is to start the crescendos very soft and save the louder playing to the end of the crescendo-not too soon.  With the diminuendo it is just the opposite stay loud and save the softer play to the end of the diminuendo-not too soon.

# 3

Breathing is always an issue with slower pieces.  You can follow the long phrase markings above the notes for your breathing; however, you may find you need more breaths than indicated.  You can always breathe after long notes.  At letter A you can breathe after the the sixth note- low “G” and start the new phrase on the next note-high “G”.

# 4

The trill in the second measure after letter A is regular “F” to “E”natural.  At the end of this trill pattern go back to forked “F” followed by “Eb”. The octave “Bb” two measures before letter B must sing and connect.  Stay open with your embouchure a direct the air upward as if you were singing in your high (falsetto) voice.

# 5

At letter B there is a triplet pattern over two measures.  This pattern is moving three notes per beat which is faster than any other rhythm in the piece.  Thus, be prepared to move the rhythm faster, not slower.  Three measures from the end there is a mordent (C-D) using the trill key with your second finger on your right hand.  This is not a normal trill-just a one-note trill.  The final three notes should include the regular  “F’ fingering at a forte dynamic level followed by a very long diminuendo.  Notice there is not slowing down at the end of this movement.

# 6

This is a great movement for a school recital or solo and ensemble contest where a professional oboist judges your performance . Ask your music director to help you find a good piano accompanist. Give yourself plenty of time to practice this piece.  Play it repeatedly for audiences at home and at school.  Make a decision about standing or sitting for your performance.

# 7

There is a YouTube video that goes with the suggestions and ideas above.  Go to our home page and on the right side you will find INTERMEDIATE OBOE.  Click and you will be connected to our YouTube videos for intermediate oboists.  Click on # 13 and you can see a performance of the above information.   Good luck with your practicing and performances.

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