Valparaiso, Indiana

Concerto in C Minor (Movement II-Adagio) by Marcello

Published by Southern Music Company

# 1

Many professional oboists consider this second movement as one of the most beautiful movements in the oboe solo repertoire.   The tempo is M.M. = 84 with the eighth note receiving one beat.  There are six eighth note beats in every measure.   With so many beautiful long melodic lines keeping the tempo steady and knowing where the six beats are in each measure  at all times is the # 1 challenge in performing this beautiful movement successfully.

# 2

In the beginning of the movement there are three entrances ending with an inverted mordant.  The oboist needs to play the note BELOW the printed note (Ab to G, G to F, and F to Eb).  At measure 10 there is the first in a series of long beautiful melodic lines.  The key to success is to keep your fingers close and play the notes in patterns of 4 notes at a time where written.

# 3

It is important to mark (with a pencil) the six subdivided beats in every measure so it is clear where the beat occurs with so many notes in each measure.

# 4

The long melodic lines of this movement starts in the following measures: 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, and 30.  Take each of these melodic lines and practice them individually with a steady beat.  With repetition and good listening each of these melodic lines will be easier to perform.  Keeping your fingers close, grouping the notes on every beat, knowing where the beat is for each note in each measure, and performing with a steady beat will enhance your performance from week to week.

# 4

Using a vibrato on this movement from beginning to end will enhance the quality of sound and the beauty of each melodic line.  Note measure 26.  This is one of the most intimate of all the melodic lines; however, it requires repeated left “Eb” and right “Db” fingerings which can be a challenging in connecting these notes with consistency and confidence

# 5

The ending begins with the pick-up note to measure 30.  Watch your breathing throughout the ending.  Suggested breathing can include the following:  after the long “F” in measure 30 and after the long dotted quarter note “D” in measure 31.  The last note is most important.  Keep your air moving as you diminuendo this final note of the movement and use your wide vibrato.

# 6

There is a YouTube recording of the above information.  Go to our home age and click on ADVANCED OBOE on the right of the page.  This will connect you to our YouTube videos that includes performances of the above content. Click on # 21. Good luck with your practicing and performances.