SELECTED MUSIC FOR OBOE AND ELECTRONICALLY PRODUCED SOUNDS

Abstract

Rarely do oboists incorporate music from the electronic music genre in their recital programs. There is a lack of familiarity among oboists with music that involves electronics. This music is usually only included in oboists’ repertoire if they consider themselves to be new music specialists. However, there are many works written for oboe and electronics that should become part of our repertoire as musicians performing in the twenty-first century, and there is enough diversity in the genre of electronic music alone to present enjoyable and accessible programs. The three programs in this dissertation are varied and balanced enough to stand alone as effective concerts. Most of the pieces are written for oboe and tape, and others use digital delay and amplification. Also, there are some accompaniments that are recorded by the soloist. None of the pieces in this dissertation require extensive technical expertise of electronics. Each program includes a premiere, introducing new literature for the oboist who is in search of new music to perform.

Playing with a recorded accompaniment involves specific skills, requiring that some unconventional processes be employed in learning and performing the music. Some pieces, such as the Gorbos and the D’Alessio, have specific sounds on the recording that serve as cues. Often, the sheet music to these pieces does not provide

enough information for the performer, so it is extremely helpful to refer to a recording of the music. To get a feel for the timing, simple repetition with the accompaniment is necessary for pieces like the Gorbos and the Reynolds. Sometimes a timer is necessary to play a piece accurately, which was helpful in performing both of the works by Ingram Marshall. In other pieces, the accompaniment is repetitive, and it is difficult to discern where the downbeats occur in the music. An onstage monitor is necessary for the Leach. This dissertation can become a resource for oboists who are searching for new and interesting pieces to add to their repertoire. This introduction to the repertoire can guide oboists in approaching the task of performing music for oboe and electronically produced sounds.