abstract: The Concerto for Oboe and String by Ralph Vaughan Williams is often described as a pastoral work without any consideration for what makes that an accurate description. This paper outlines the connections to English folk song that create what are considered the pastoral qualities in the work. Vaughan Williams' relationship with English folk song, as collector and arranger, is well-documented, as is his advocacy for their use in compositions. By the time he wrote the Oboe Concerto at the end of his career, folk song elements had completely infused his compositional style. The Oboe Concerto shares many stylistic traits with English folk song. These stylistic elements: mode, melodic structure, form, and rhythm and meter are first analyzed in terms of English folk song, then how these features are utilized in the Oboe Concerto. Another connection to English folk song is in the manner of accompanying the Concerto. Vaughan Williams had firm opinions on how to accompany folk songs and wrote many sample accompaniments, which bear a marked resemblance to the accompaniment for the Oboe Concerto. The same is true for the accompaniment he wrote for a specifically folk song-inspired work, the Six Studies in English Folk Song for Violoncello and Pianoforte. Specific examples from both works are compared to the Concerto accompaniment. Finally, several motives and melodic figures found in folk songs included in the Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, which was edited by Vaughan Williams, are also found in the Oboe Concerto. An understanding of the use of English folk song elements and specific quotes in the Oboe Concerto, as well as the folk song-style treatment in accompaniment provide concrete evidence of the pastoral quality prevalent in many works of Vaughan Williams. Not only can this support a well-informed and more rewarding performance of the Oboe Concerto, but the same analysis can be applied to many of his other works as well, in addition to the works of a generation of English composers whose style he influenced. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music 2013

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document Please note that the text on pages 6-19 to 6-22 was removed, due to an error in the script / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Music / unrestricted

The oboe and English horn works of Ross Edwards are fascinating and challenging to oboists of all abilities. However, Edwards' works have received little recognition beyond Australia. These pieces can be used to expose students to non-European influences in music, especially that of Aboriginal Australians. These works deserve to be considered part of the standard repertoire of an oboist due to their musical and technical demands and their position in the repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries. Modern Australian music history can be traced back to the time the English first colonized the continent. After that time, the country began its journey toward musical independence from England eventually leading to a uniquely Australian sound. Born in 1943, Ross Edwards is a contemporary Australian composer that has identified his music as Australian. He acknowledges several outside sources in his music, from Australian Aboriginal to the distilled sounds of nature from the Australian Outback. Edwards has created his own musical style, utilizing distilled musical fragments later named icons, and system he uses to compose his works. It is through an understanding of where Australia's musical heritage begins, and how it develops, that we may gain a greater knowledge of contemporary Australian composers like Ross Edwards. This study demonstrates the importance of Ross Edwards' music in the development of an Australian sound through historical context and the analysis of his oboe and English horn works.

The oboe, which first came into being in the middle of the seventeenth century in France, underwent a number of changes throughout the following century. French instruments were influenced both by local practices and by the introduction of influences from other parts of Europe. The background of the makers of these instruments as well as the physical properties of the oboes help to illuminate the development of the instrument during this period. The examination of measurements, technical drawings, photographs, and biographical data clarify the development and dissemination of practices in oboe building throughout eighteenth-century France. This clarification provides new insight into a critical period of oboe development which has hitherto not been exclusively addressed.

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Reedmaking is as integral to oboists’ skills as performers and teachers as any other element of their musical study. Reeds regulate almost all aspects of oboists’ music making, including pitch, line, and tone. But reedmaking is also the part of oboists’ professional training least integrated with their overall music education. Currently available resources on oboe reedmaking are written for the practitioner, and tend to be technical rather than pedagogical in nature. They do not cater to oboists’ varying backgrounds in reedmaking; nor do they take into account a given student’s unique physiology, technique, or variations in the instruments themselves. Indeed, techniques for teaching reedmaking have barely changed since the oral tradition of the nineteenth century. Given these shortcomings, there is great opportunity for instructional reexamination and intervention in the teaching of reedmaking. This dissertation blends reedmaking’s pedagogical traditions with principles from L. Dee Fink’s theory of “significant learning” into a useful, task-based guide for oboe professors in modern collegiate settings. First, it surveys historical writings on reedmaking and reedmaking pedagogy from the invention of the oboe to present day. It then examines relevant data and narratives about typical modern reedmaking pedagogy in the context of higher education. Third, it envisions reedmaking curricula based on significant learning principles. Finally, it explores broader implications for the oboe studio, other performance studios, and the expansion of a literature of reedmaking pedagogy.

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[EN] This Doctoral Thesis is a study of the durability of the oboe's double bladed mouthpiece (commonly known as "reed") and has tried to address the topic from various perspectives. An objective point of view was taken in an acoustic analysis of the reeds through thousands of measurements while a more subjective angle was taken through an evaluation of the opinions of professional musicians, people with musical knowledge and the general public. This Doctoral Thesis has been elaborated in several phases. In the first phase, nine reeds of three different models (Alfa, Alliaud and unnamed cane harvested by myself) were made. In this phase, reed behavior was measured as a function of the hours each had been played whilst parameters which might influence the quality of the reed were investigated: acoustics in which it was played, notated opinions by professional colleagues, chemical parameters such as pH. In a second phase, fifteen reeds were made using cane from five different sources (three reeds from each source), including four specialized companies: Alfa, Alliaud, Le Roseau Chantant and Kge Reed's own collection, Villajoyosa (Alicante). At this stage, more concrete results were sought. Three intermittent recording sessions were performed over time: the first on December 23, 2013 after the reeds were freshly made and barely used, the second on April 16, 2014 when the reeds were half-worn out, and the third on July 9, 2014, when it was time to discard the reeds due to the end of their functioning lifespan. The recordings were made in the anechoic chamber of the Polytechnic University of Gandia, in the Aula Magna of the University and also in a reverberant hall using various systems of recording equipment: the Symphonie, a 2250 Sound Level Meter and HATS. We asked for the collaboration of another oboist to investigate results of changing the musician without changing the instrument or reed. These files have been analyzed objectively by looking for harmonic patterns of behaviour. It has been found that those reeds that are considered ideal produce harmonic patterns which are quite similar (up to the 4th or 5th harmonic) while reeds in a state of disrepair display marked differences in these harmonics. It has been determined that the deterioration of the upper order of these harmonics is a function of the number of hours of the reed's use. It was also found that upon leaving the anechoic chamber, harmonic patterns were distorted by the acoustic effects of the hall or room. Another important fact is that the harmonic patterns of the good reeds made in the first phase (2005) largely coincide with those of the reeds made in the second phase (2013). This lends stability and consistency to the harmonic analysis. With regard to the subjective part, through a specialized internet surveys page, a hearing-survey was designed consisting of fourteen different sound fragments to be listened to and evaluated. We achieved wide participation with 447 people completing the survey correctly, of which over 200 have a degree in music. The results of the surveys have been analyzed in detail. After a filtering based on various sectors of the population, different conclusions were obtained. The most noteworthy are that the opinions of the performer and the listener do not always coincide; the interpretative sensation sometimes differs from that of the listener, with respect to the functionality and sonorous quality of the reed. The influence of the room enhances the perception of the listener, and can even partly mask the flaws of a mediocre reed. An interpreter who makes his own reeds can play on one that is sub-par but still attain a feeling that the reed is good. However, different interpreters cannot exchange reeds and still play comfortably as was determined in the subjective part. / [ES] En esta memoria de Tesis Doctoral se presenta un estudio de la durabilidad de las dobles lengüetas de oboe (o como las conocemos comúnmente: cañas) que se ha intentado abordar desde varias perspectivas. Desde un punto de vista objetivo, bajo el análisis acústico de las cañas a través de miles de mediciones, y desde una visión subjetiva, valorando la opinión de profesionales de música, personas con conocimiento musical o público en general. La Tesis Doctoral se ha confeccionado en varias fases. En una primera fase se fabricaron nueve cañas de tres modelos diferentes (Alfa, Alliaud y un material de recolección propia). En esa fase se estudia el comportamiento en función de las horas de reproducción y se hace una incursión en la búsqueda de parámetros que tengan que ver o puedan influir en la calidad de la caña: parámetros acústicos, encuestas a profesionales, o parámetros químicos como el pH. En una segunda fase se han confeccionado quince cañas de diferentes materiales (tres cañas por cada material), cuatro de ellos de empresas especializadas: Alfa, Alliaud, Le Roseau Chantant y Kge Reed's y un material de recolección propia, el de La Vila Joiosa (Alicante). En esta fase ya se buscan efectos concretos. Se realizaron tres sesiones de grabación espaciadas en el tiempo, una el 23 de diciembre de 2013 cuando las cañas no tenían ninguna hora de desgaste, es decir, estaban recién hechas, otra el 16 de abril de 2014, cuando las cañas estaban a medio uso, y por último el 9 de julio de 2014, cuando las cañas estaban ya para desechar. Las grabaciones se realizaron en la sala anecoica de la Universidad Politécnica de Gandía, en el Aula Magna de la Universidad y en algún pasillo reverberante utilizando para la misma diversos equipos de grabación: el Symphonie, el Sonómetro 2250 y el HATS. Hemos pedido durante la misma la colaboración de otro oboísta para investigar cómo influye el cambio del intérprete, sin cambiar ni de caña ni de oboe. Estos ficheros se han analizado de forma objetiva buscando patrones armónicos de comportamiento. Se ha visto que las cañas que se consideran buenas tienen un patrón de armónicos bastante parecido (hasta el 4º o 5º armónico) y que las cañas en mal estado modifican mucho estos armónicos. Se ha podido comprobar cómo en función del número de horas de uso estos armónicos de orden superior se van deformando. También se comprueba que fuera de la cámara anecoica, los patrones de armónicos se ven distorsionados por el efecto del recinto. Otro dato importante es que los patrones de armónicos de cañas consideradas buenas de la primera fase (año 2005) coinciden en gran medida con las fabricadas en la segunda fase (año 2013). Esto le da estabilidad y coherencia al análisis de armónicos. Respecto a la parte subjetiva, a través de una página especializada en encuestas por internet, se diseñó una audición-encuesta que consistía en escuchar catorce audiciones diferentes y evaluarlas. Conseguimos una gran difusión y 447 personas finalizaron de forma correcta la encuesta, de las cuales, más de 200 tienen el título superior de música. Los datos obtenidos del servidor de encuestas se han analizado con detalle. En base a varios filtrados de sectores de población se han obtenido diferentes conclusiones. Las más destacables son que no coincide del todo la opinión del intérprete y la del oyente, no siempre coincide la sensación interpretativa con la del oyente, con respecto al funcionamiento y calidad sonora de la caña. La influencia de la sala mejora la percepción de las audiciones, e incluso puede enmascarar en parte el hecho de que la caña no sea buena. Un intérprete que se fabrica sus cañas, puede llegar a tocar con una caña regular y conseguir la sensación de caña "buena". Sin embargo, diferentes intérpretes no pueden intercambiar sus cañas porque no tocan cómodos y se percibe en la parte subjetiva. / [CA] En aquesta memòria de Tesi doctoral es presenta un estudi de la durabilitat de les dobles llengüetes d'oboè (o com les coneixem comunament: canyes) que s'ha intentat abordar des de diverses perspectives. Des d'un punt de vista objectiu, sota l'anàlisi acústic de les canyes a través de milers de mesuraments, i des d'una visió subjectiva, valorant l'opinió de professionals de música, persones amb coneixement musical o públic en general. La Tesi Doctoral s'ha confeccionat en diverses fases. En una primera fase es van fabricar nou canyes de tres models diferents (Alfa, Alliaud i un material de collita pròpia). En aquesta fase s'estudia el comportament en funció de les hores de reproducció i es fa una incursió en la recerca de paràmetres que tinguin a veure o puguin influir en la qualitat de la canya: paràmetres acústics, enquestes a professionals, o paràmetres químics com el pH. En una segona fase s'han confeccionat quinze canyes de diferents materials (tres canyes per cada material), quatre d'ells d'empreses especialitzades: Alfa, Alliaud, Le Roseau Chantant i Kge Reed's i un material de collita pròpia, el de la Vila Joiosa (Alacant). En aquesta fase ja es busquen efectes concrets. Es van realitzar tres sessions de gravació espaiades en el temps, una el 23 de desembre de 2013 quan les canyes no tenien cap hora de desgast, és a dir, estaven acabades de fer, una altra el 16 d'abril de 2014, quan les canyes estaven a mig ús , i finalment el 9 de juliol de 2014, quan les canyes estaven ja per rebutjar. Els enregistraments es van realitzar a la sala anecoica de la Universitat Politècnica de Gandia, a l'Aula Magna de la Universitat i en algun passadís reverberant utilitzant per a la mateixa diversos equips de gravació: el Symphonie, el Sonòmetre 2250 i el HATS. Hem demanat durant la mateixa la col·laboració d'un altre oboista per investigar com influeix el canvi de l'intèrpret, sense canviar ni de canya ni d'oboe. Aquests fitxers s'han analitzat de forma objectiva buscant patrons harmònics de comportament. S'ha vist que les canyes que es consideren bones tenen un patró d'harmònics força semblant (fins al 4t o 5è harmònic) i que les canyes en mal estat modifiquen molt aquests harmònics. S'ha pogut comprovar com en funció del nombre d'hores d'ús aquests harmònics d'ordre superior es van deformant. També es comprova que fora de la cambra anecoica, els patrons d'harmònics es veuen distorsionats per l'efecte del recinte. Una altra dada important és que els patrons d'harmònics de canyes considerades bones de la primera fase (any 2005) coincideixen en gran mesura amb les fabricades a la segona fase (any 2013). Això li dóna estabilitat i coherència a l'anàlisi d'harmònics. Respecte a la part subjectiva, a través d'una pàgina especialitzada en enquestes per internet, es va dissenyar una audició-enquesta que consistia a escoltar catorze audicions diferents i avaluar-les. Vam aconseguir una gran difusió i 447 persones van finalitzar de forma correcta l'enquesta, de les quals, més de 200 tenen el títol superior de música. Les dades obtingudes del servidor d'enquestes s'han analitzat amb detall. En la base de diversos filtrats de sectors de població s'han obtingut diferents conclusions. Les més destacables són que no coincideix del tot l'opinió de l'intèrpret i la de l'oient, no sempre coincideix la sensació interpretativa amb la de l'oient, pel que fa al funcionament i qualitat sonora de la canya. La influència de la sala millora la percepció de les audicions, i fins i tot pot emmascarar en part el fet que la canya no sigui bona. Un intèrpret que es fabrica les canyes, pot arribar a tocar amb una canya regular i aconseguir la sensació de canya "bona". No obstant això, diferents intèrprets no poden intercanviar les seves canyes perquè no toquen còmodes i es percep en la part subjectiva. / Romero Nieto, JP. (2015). ESTUDIO DE DURABILIDAD DE CAÑAS DE OBOE A PARTIR DE PARÁMETROS DE CALIDAD SONORA [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/59383