OBOE AND PIANO MUSIC
Contemporary Oboe and Piano Music & Repertoire
This collection of contemporary oboe and piano music presents works written for performers seeking expressive, modern repertoire for concerts, competitions, and advanced study. These compositions explore the full range of the oboe–piano duo, from lyrical writing and intimate dialogue to dynamic interplay and coloristic contrast. This page provides an overview of available works, including instrumentation details, program notes, and score information.
Program Notes:
Fizzy for oboe and piano is a work in three consecutive movements. The overall atmosphere of the first and third movements conveys a sense of electrified restlessness or drive, which also inspired the piece's name. In contrast, the second movement is contemplative and retreats into a nostalgic, slower world.
Score of Fizzy for Oboe and Piano
About Oboe and Piano Music
The oboe and piano duo offers a distinctive blend of clarity, lyricism, and expressive depth. Writing for this ensemble allows for intimate dialogue, dramatic contrast, and a wide spectrum of colors, from delicate cantabile lines to agile, playful gestures. These works contribute to the expanding contemporary repertoire for oboe and piano, providing performers with technically engaging and artistically rewarding pieces suitable for both recital and professional performance settings.
Oboe and Piano Repertoire List
Francis Poulenc – Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1962)
A cornerstone masterpiece; deeply melancholic and dramatic, a poignant farewell from the composer.
Henri Dutilleux – Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1947)
A virtuosic and structurally expansive staple of the French oboe repertoire, full of color.
Paul Hindemith – Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1938)
A significant neoclassical work, known for its contrapuntal clarity and expressive, lyrical slow movement.
Benjamin Britten – Temporal Variations (1936)
An important early work exploring diverse moods and styles through variations on a single theme.
Eugène Bozza – Fantaisie Pastorale (1949)
A standard French competition piece; bright and charming, with a lovely pastoral atmosphere and virtuosic flourishes.
Jean Françaix – L’Horloge de Flore (1959)
A highly descriptive suite (originally concerto) depicting flowers opening at specific hours; technically demanding and programmatic.
Jacques Ibert – Pièce pour Hautbois et Piano (1935)
A brief, charming piece known for its simple elegance and expressive melodic lines.
Malcolm Arnold – Sonatina for Oboe and Piano, Op. 28 (1951)
Robert Muczynski – Time Pieces (1983)
A popular American work blending lyricism with rhythmic drive and moderately dissonant, jazz-influenced harmony.
Arthur Benjamin – Sonatina for Oboe and Piano (1942)
A well-crafted, popular sonatina known for its elegant melodic writing and vibrant finale.
Gordon Jacob – Sonatina for Oboe and Piano (1963)
A highly respected and standard British work; well-written for the instrument, balancing humor and expression.
Antal Doráti – Duo Concertante (1982)
A substantial, lesser-known work blending Hungarian folk influences with neoclassicism and dramatic flair.
Thea Musgrave – Night Windows (1974/2007)
A dramatic character piece inspired by Edward Hopper paintings, exploring distinct emotional states through sound.
Richard Rodney Bennett – Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1987)
A substantial contemporary British sonata; showcases a modern harmonic language and virtuosic writing.
André Jolivet – Sonatine for Oboe and Piano (1963)
Vincent Persichetti – Parable for Oboe and Piano, Op. 108 (1972)
An intense, rhythmically complex French modern piece, known for its driving energy and challenging passages.
A characteristic American work exploring abstract ideas within a single continuous movement.
A popular British work; lighthearted, jazzy, and witty, showcasing immediate appeal and humor.