Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto (Goossens, 1952)

[@RalphDratman]

A superb, moving and probably unmatched performance of one of RVW's greatest works.

[@271250cl]

Not one of his greatest IMO (it's not up there with symphs 4 - 6, Job or Tallis, surely) but it is one of his most beautiful!

[@AmedeoEne]

Oh! What a beautiful recording!

[@wintersportsbunch5146]

Terrific to hear this played by Goosens! Thank you.

[@KansasViking]

I am playing the first movement right now and it is incredible to hear this originating recording of Goosens. The roughness of his European sound definitely shifts how he thinks about the piece. Rather than this pastoral singing, he plays it with more virtuosic gestures and flourishes that don't connect this sprawling movement as much. Instead, he leans into the offbeat and hopping nature of the piece. His pecking of certain phrases, especially the more playful section provide such a contrast to the huge flowing orchestra and other parts of the concerto. He interprets all the sextuplets and 32nd notes as gestures and flourishes rather than melodic figures which also plays into the offbeat and macabre. Of course, this is the same piece that has become an icon of oboe concertos, but because of tone and interpretation, this is far from the modern version of this piece.