Soothing, Soaring, Singing Oboe Collection
rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 03/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Douvas certainly is one of the bright oboe stars of America. From her teaching at Juilliard to her performing with the Metro Opera, she is known as leader and this CD showcases her great talent.Coupled with Erik Nielsen on piano, she plays a wide range of pieces. Nielsen and Douvas already hooked up before, putting together the Music Minus One CD series, and the sound is the same here. Nielsen himself an accomplished oboe student of Douvas' is amazing. Talented harpist (as he performs here on this CD on Nicholas Roslavetz piece) is truly a fine pianist.The program is bright and passionate, which goes so well with Douvas' clear sound and wonderful phrasing and dynamic control. Pieces are included from Schumann, Ravel, Eugene Goosens, Herbert Howells, Henri Dutilleux and Nicolas Roslavetz.This is all supplemented by strong flute by Nadine Asin on the Eugene Goosens piece, and by two violas and cello as well as Nielsen's harp on Roslavetz's Nocturne.I have trouble deciding which pieces are becoming my favorites, as the more I listen to each of them, the more I find parts and wholes becoming very attractive.I will leave it at that point, that this is truly a marvelous program of oboe music, magnificently performed by Douvas and all her friends. Highly recommended and wanted more from this talented musician."