Evaluation of Oboe Concerto by Vaughan Williams

Concerto for Oboe and Strings By Vaughan Williams The oboe is a challenging instrument, and composing for it poses many difficulties. To truly do the instrument justice, it must shine and blend all at once, and this piece certainly does the oboe justice. The limitations of the oboe are considered in the writing of the Concerto, but it still pushes some barriers. There are many difficult passages for an experienced player to master; some through …

…level in this piece. The early harmonies are not as pleasing to the ear as the slower melodies, but are necessary to showcase the writing style. There were a few too many jumps and skips for some tastes, they were a little much and tended to take away from the concerto feel. This technically demanding piece is beautiful, but considering how much it would push an oboist, it becomes a labor of love as well.