Muse Echo
Dear Guests,
WELCOME! Here you can:
Listen to links (scroll down)
read blogs, study via blogs. ENJOY
Poetry for solo oboe:
performed and interpreted by my dear friend, oboist, Alex Klein
Poems 1-5
https://youtu.be/qO7iHFVUy7Y
(FUN FACT - poem #4 is related to FANTASIA #3…!)
Poems 6-10
https://youtu.be/QwL78Sp4PEI
about the poetry, Alex Klein wrote
”These ARE gorgeous pieces, perfectly suited to the oboe. It's always tricky with new music written for oboe. We respect, applaud and encourage composers to be bold, creative and come up with new ways to make our instrument shine. At the same time, we understand and are tolerant of any such boldness which is "experimental" and not always quite a perfect fit with our cranky instrument. That is part of the process of evolution and music writing. The oboe is not an easy instrument, and is not an easy instrument to write for. There is the singing quality, there is the haunting sound, there is the awkward technical limitations, omg that reed, somethings are easier than others and it is hard for us to define what they are. Kathryn Potter does a great job at it because she is an accomplished oboist herself, with a formidable pedigree from the best teachers. She knows our beast and how to tame it. For me, supporting her and her works is a no-brainer. I do it with pleasure and honor. We are all looking for new music, particularly that which is written in the 21st century. Well, here it is. This is the way forward, with the lyricism we expect from the oboe, and the innovation in how phrases are created, how we must all (and always) phrase the silences just as much as the notes, and how intervals connect notes. On top of it all is the absolute necessity for whoever plays this to be a kindred spirit, friendly to expression, feeling, and....poetry. These poems are great because they do not impose a specific set of phrasing rules. You can do a 4-bar phrase, or only 2. Or 10 for that matter. These Poems are an invitation for us oboists to embrace our solemn legacy, to create beautiful music with shades of color, with simplicity, and never denying our traditions even as we challenge them.” Alex Klein
Pas de Deux n.1 for oboe and piano
performed by oboist Marika Lombardi and pianist Nathalie Dang
Be sure to check out Wood Wind Quintet “IX Stages of Purification” Below
Sound bites of some of my work with additional information. Enjoy.
From the first book;
IN ADORATION OF THE EARTH: 12 rapidly progressing études which I composed for students, introducing modern techniques under served in pedagogy for children and adult amateurs.
étude IX, A Fox in the Sun, demands: technical challenges such as - please note - 1/4 sharp tones, pitch bending and multi phonics.
étude XII Eagle, demands: flexible embouchure, and playing in the tip top of the top octave.
Oboe Solo
K.J.P. performs VIPER, étude V from the book of 12 progressive études,
“In Adoration of the Earth”
In Adoration of the Earth, book 1 available in the shop, is for solo oboe and takes about 20+ minutes to play cover to cover and is an excellent warm up for accomplished oboists.
The 12 études are progressive, starting with an advanced beginner level and rapidly advancing up through virtuoso level. I composed these works over a period of 15 years as they are custom works for specific oboists in my oboe studio back when. (That said, please know that I am at your service to compose custom études for you or a student. Turn around can be sooner than later for this. Your wish is my command!)
Each étude introduces and covers key aspects for technical elegance.
Techniques introduced in standard 20th century repertoire such as 1.4 tones, and multi phonics are creatively introduced in a pleasant hand holding way. Tonal, a tonal, non tonal, modal, and chromatic forms are used. So too metered, mixed metered and non metered works. Some works are detailed and others more open, insisting upon the individual to completely interpret artistically.
Most are suitable for adding into a recital and some are perfect for an encore! (International SKYPE lessons are available to assist you or a student.)
Oboe Ensemble
Two contrasting oboe duets: K.J.P. and oboist Marika Lombardi perform duets no. 3 and no. 4 from the book of 7 oboe duets “The Secrets of Ravens”
I composed “The Secret of Ravens” a book of 7 intermediate oboe duets for a dear adult student, of 9 years, Cheryl Tuttle, for the pure joy of oboe playing and in celebration of her accomplishments! Cheryl inspired this work and we’ve enjoyed studying, playing and performing it together. Good memories. Ravens are very dear to me. Such magnificent creatures, mysterious, clever, musical…evocative of fairy tales and the power of nature. I hope these duets will take your imagination flying higher and your love of oboe playing even deeper. ENJOY!
Oboe In Ensemble
Wood Wind Quintet n. 2, IX Stages of Purification, by K.J. P. , composed custom for, and performed by Quintetto Anemos, in a superb live premiere , recorded. March 6, 2015, Paris, France, at the Italian Consulate, in a concert celebrating international women composers.
Filippo Mazzoli, flute; Marika Lombardi, oboe; Nicola Zuccalà, clarinet, Albin Lebossé, horn; Ivan Calestani, bassoon.
After composing Wood Wind Quintet #1, Songes d’un cœur épris, for Quintetto Anemos, I heard the gist and some sound of this quintet, literally in a dream, before I met the ensemble. After meeting and working with these lovely musicians, I composed this quintet - as a gift to them - and with each instrumentalist’s unique musical voice, in mind.
On March 6, 2015, they premiered this work in celebration of international women’s day, in Paris, France at the Italian Consulate.
This work is in 9 movements, some flowing into the next. There is a long pause before the 9th movement, so be patient before it starts. Total performance time of this work is 33 minutes. ENJOY this sonic journey!