Customer Reviews

Strauss: Oboe Concerto/Francaix: L'Horloge De Flore/Satie: Gymnopédie No.1/Ibert: Symphonie Concertante

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Although this particular RCA CD is now out of print and as such might be considered a collector's item, it is important to note that this great recording has just been reissued by Boston Records. Aside from its historical value (de Lancie documenting, after 40 years, the concerto he inspired), this is a wonderful recording all around. John de Lancie, who passed away recently at age 80, was 65 when he recorded the newly-remastered Strauss, and his performance has the kind of gentleness and quiet dignity that only comes with maturity. He avoids the trap of sentimentality, opting instead, as he always does, for refinement and elegance, tinged in places with a touch of melancholy that can be quite moving.

All the other pieces were recorded back in the sixties with André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra. De Lancie is at his very best, seemingly determined to show us just about every possible mood and nuance that can be expressed by the oboe... and succeeding! "L'Horloge de flore" in particular, a suite of seven short movements played without interruption and evoking the flowers that bloom at different times of the day, is a gem of charm and grace admirably suited to de Lancie's special brand of magic.

All around, it's a wonderful CD with great sound quality, a must-have for anyone who enjoys the oboe, and we can thank Boston Records for making it available again for years to come.

John De Lancie, of course did an outstanding job with this piece that, in a way, was written for him. I love the story behind the piece. But De Lancie gives life to this piece. My next goal is to find this piece performed by his former student Woodhams, I know it exists out there and it would be interesting to hear is interpretation.

Regrettably, Mr. deLancie proves he's not up to this piece. Rather than playing what Strauss wrote, he changes it in order to make it less challenging. Such disrespect for the composer's intentions is appalling, even if he was the person who gave the composer the idea to write the piece.

He didn't like the piece, and apparently told Strauss of this, after the piece had been sent to him as a gift. So if you don't like the piece AND you're not up to it, don't perform it and PLEASE don't record it.

The disrespect shown for the composer's intentions on this recording is shameful.