Winter Waltz

Description

This oboe solo has a slow waltz feel, but in compound duple rather than simple triple time. The soloists’ opening legato melody needs a rich warm tone with some sense of rubato – outside the winter is cold and dark, but by the fire-place all is peaceful and content. Various modulations & key changes in the first half create a changing sense of mood and movement. The main feature of the piece then follows – the interwoven counter-melodies between the soloist and the piano part beginning at bar 32. It is like a warm fire-side conversation, a friendly exchange of opposing ideas that gives meaning to the notion ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its’ parts’. For the best result here, both soloist and accompanist should develop a strong ensemble connection.

sample audio

sample sheet music

Level of Difficulty: