Richard Strauss - Oboe Concerto, TrV 292 (1945)

Concerto in D major for Oboe and Small Orchestra, TrV 292 (1945)
Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

François Leleux (oboe)
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Harding (conductor)
2010

00:00 1. Allegro moderato
08:29 2. Andante
17:22 3. Vivace - Allegro

Strauss' Oboe Concerto (1945-1946) dates from the final stages of the composer's career. As a product of his lifetime of experience, it ranks as one of the finest works ever composed for the instrument. Strauss wrote the concerto at the suggestion of John De Lancie, an American soldier and professional oboist stationed near Garmisch at the end of the Second World War.
Following the classical model, the concerto is cast in a fast-slow-fast three-movement form. The opening Allegro moderato features interplay between the oboe and solo flute and clarinet in a sort of concertato treatment. The elegiac Andante echoes the more meditative moods of the composer's later operas. While the harmonic language is essentially diatonic, Strauss makes full use of colorful chromatic inflections. The movement is remarkable for its intensity and seamlessness, in contrast to the more motivic and episodic nature of some of Strauss' music. The concluding Vivace has the playful character of the composer's incidental score to Der Bürger aus Edelmann (1917) or the opera Der Rosenkavalier (1909-1910). The oboe commands center stage throughout with angular leaps and shifts of register.
The concerto is further notable for Strauss' economical scoring. This mode of relative austerity -- in comparison to the expansive instrumentation of Strauss' earlier tone poems and operas -- is a feature of much of the composer's late music, including the Sonatina No. 2 for 16 winds (1943-1945) and Metamorphosen for 23 strings (1944-1945).

[alaskannyc]

Just got a call yesterday to play the accompaniment for a recital next week. When I heard the oboist was playing Strauss I cringed, sucked in a sharp breath through clenched teeth, and hesitantly said yes. Now I am listening to this for the first time ever. I haven't played through the accompaniment yet, but "it doesn't look so bad" ... (famous last words!). First movement only. Anyway, delighted to discover a new-to-me work by a beloved composer. Can't wait to dig in.

[AnonOMous-qijc]

I first heard this as a teenager when we were given tickets to hear The Sacramento Symphony perform. To my extreme pleasure, we were treated to this masterpiece with guest artist Han de Vries performing. We were both somewhat younger then. I was captivated. Listening to this for the first time in many years brought back many happy memories.

[Quinn]

This is the hardest backup orchestra music I've ever a violinist playing this and my god

[treesny]

And in case anyone was wondering: yes, the oboist John de Lancie was the father of the actor John de Lancie, best known for his role as "Q" in Star Trek: The Next Generation. :-)

[thejman]

16:31 I couldn't imagine trying to play that. Or you know, almost the entire piece.

[GrotrianSeiler]

It really is stunning. So so so challenging to play! Love it.

[leestamm]

An exquisite performance of this lovely Strauss masterpiece. Harding keeps the accompanyment in excellent balance. Even in his final years, Strauss still had his wonderful compositional magic.

[pokerandphilosophy]

Woaah! I was blown away. I've heard at least two dozen interpretations of this concerto and my favorite oboists were Lothar Koch and Heinz Holliger. But now, I have thee favorites. The finesse, beauty and mastery of Leleux's phrasing are astounding. (Also love the orchestra and conductor, and the soloist/orchestra balance!)

[EASYTIGER]

I think Strauss forgot that oboists have to breathe! lol

[aaruushkulkarni]

Me: Oh yeah I’m pretty good at oboe
My band director: play this then
Me:Okay sure
Me: Squeaks so hard the windows break

[davidrehak]

Richard Strauss:D-dúr Oboaverseny
1.Allegro moderato - Vivace 00:00
2.Andante 08:44
3.Vivace - Allegro 17:22
François Leleux-oboa
Svéd Rádió Szimfonikus Zenekara
Vezényel:Daniel Harding

[randomuser]

The ad lib at the end of part 2 kills me every time. Its soooo good

[erickdavidmartinezwong]

My God, I found the first concert I heard in the palace of fine arts here in Mexico, I loved that day, they also played some symphony but I don't remember which one.

[realhighduck]

Ah— the rare and impossible 64th note— every musician’s nightmare, as no man has survived an attempt, the oboist in this piece died shortly after.

[lukecash]

This concerto makes me wish I knew of one that has both an oboe and flute player as soloists all throughout.

[ecureuilvigilant]

Excellent moment musical de paix et de détente. Merci pour ce partage.

[Mischapup]

Exquisite performance of autumnal Strauss. ev.

[Alex-fpvu]

Crazy...Unbelievable performance...Nice Leleux

[elodiec]

I hate it when ads interrupt this masterpiece

[Teladian]

This is a VERY good interpretstion. I love rhe musical choices on the whole. I thinkni need to re-approach this concerto and try some things out.