Search - Eugene Goossens, Bohuslav Martinu, Ralph Vaughan Williams :: Nancy Ambrose King Plays Oboe Concertos

Lyrical Beauty of this Singing Concerto Instrument Displayed

rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 02/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"King certainly is becoming one of the prominent oboe virtuosos around. Having heard her in concert accompanied by an orchestra, I can testify to the power and beauty of her playing. She plays passionately, decisively and stylistically. Her tone is clear, pure and strong, shaded by tones of depth and richness. Her technique is exquisite and she excels on difficult fast tonguing and fingering.



Here she performs four prominent and difficult concertos from the instrument's repoitoire: Mozart's in C, Goosens One Movement, Vaughan Williams for Oboe/Strings in A minor and Martinu's for Oboe/Small Orchestra.



Most would be somewhat familiar with the Mozart and possibly Vaughan Williams, which Ambrose King pulls off with great moving pizzaz. The difficult second movement in the Mozart she seems to gracefully handle all the technical challenges, with what seems like the effortless singing style that a polished vocalist achieves.



My favorite however has become the Martinu piece which she here reintroduces. The energy and dynamic grace she performs this piece with is brilliant. The final movement, a poco allegro is my favorite, with its polka rythm and bravura.



Interesting that the Goosens piece composed by the famous oboist's brother was based on the warmup exercises he heard his brother playing before performing.



Great recording with Swerling and Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra providing excellent support and flavoring."