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to main catalogue Recordings to celebrate the world of the oboe PASCULLI CC2006 CD DETAILS (click what you want to see) The music and sound clips Details about the performers Introduction to the programme notes Press comment on the CD Christopher Redgate on How to play Pasculli Back cover of the CD printable summary sheet about the CD Contemporary virtuosity from Christopher Redgate: Another single composer CD: THE MUSIC AND SOUND CLIPS (Click underlined movements to hear MP3 format sound clips.) CHRISTOPHER REDGATE (oboe) STEPHEN ROBBINGS (piano) Characteristic Study - Le Api (The Bees)   Allegro vivacissimo. You can see a YouTube video of this entire track here. Grand Concerto on themes from I Vespri Siciliani by Verdi   Allegretto - Adagio - Piu mosso   Allegretto - Adagio - Allegro Fantasia on themes from Les Huguenots by Meyerbeer   Andante - Allegretto - Adagio   Andantino - Allegro con fuoco Concerto on themes from La Favorita by Donizetti   Andante - Allegro - Largo molto   Adagio - Theme and variations   Molto largo - cadenza - allegro velocissimo Fantasia on themes from Poliuto by Donizetti   Maestoso - Largo - Allegretto   Adagio - Allegro - Moderato The CD booklet contains a 2,000-word essay by Christopher Redgate on the music and life of Antonino Pasculli in English, Italian and German. The photos include two of Pasculli and one of his Triébert oboe. Antonino Pasculli was born in 1842. The great violin virtuoso Paganini had died two years previously (also an Italian, a performer and a composer) and Franz Liszt was touring Europe as a dazzling virtuoso. Some have likened Pasculli to Paganini and perhaps for good reason; he must at least have known the reputation of these two giants. But there were others. The concept of the performer/composer was very common in both the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of them wrote music for their own use, and often specifically to display their techniques. There were many fine oboist/composers during this period - Casimir Lalliet (1837-92) and Stanislas Verroust (1814-63) to name but two. What sets the music of Antonino Pasculli apart, however, is the extreme technical demands he makes upon the oboist (I know of nothing else from the 19th century repertoire to compare with the challenges he poses), and the creative ways in which he uses his chosen material. copyright Christopher Redgate 2003 Back to Top Press Comment "What a great party disc this makes. The opening number in the program, Le Api (The Bees), will have you and your guests rolling on the floor. We all know Oscar Levant's famous quip, "The oboe is an ill wind that no one blows any good". Well, British oboist Christopher Redgate blows it very good indeed, and pianist Stephen Robbings seems to have lots of fun accompanying him in these delectable bonbons." Jerry Dubins, Fanfare Magazine "This is a disc to open the ears of all oboists, and to entertain and astonish less specialist music-lovers." Anthony Burton, BBC Music Magazine "The enterprising new label Oboe Classics maintains its highest standards with a sample of the fiendishly difficult music written by Antonino Pasculli, the 19th-century composer-performer known as the 'Paganini of the Oboe'. Christopher Redgate needs all his considerable virtuosity to negotiate the fiendish challenges set by Pasculli on themes from Verdi, Meyerbeer and Donizetti, not to mention the 'characteristic study' Le Api (The Bees). This is fascinating music played with extreme panache." Anthony Holden, Observer "Christopher Redgate is an oboist who thrives on technical demands, the more extreme the better, and his disc is a remarkable tour de force." Christopher Hooker, Double Reed News "This is an incredible CD for everyone who enjoys brilliant performers and performances." Gary Higginson, Classical Music Web Listener comment “I am totally in awe of your wonderful Oboe playing on the CD which arrived today! I can't believe that you can play so many notes without seeming to take a breath!! And Stephen on the piano is a delight to listen to also. I am so glad to have that CD and I will enjoy it forever!!” Gaye Pringle, Frenchs Forest, Australia Other Press Comment on Christopher Redgate: "Redgate's phenomenal breath and finger control are heard to startling effect" Gramophone "A display of astonishing technical mastery ... the lyrical episodes had a quality of special beauty" The Daily Telegraph Christopher Redgate (left) studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he won four prizes, along with another five international prizes after leaving. He has toured in Australia, the USA, Canada, China and almost every European country. His two specialities are 19th century virtuoso music and new music; a number of composers have written works for him, including Michael Finnissy, whose CD Lost Lands featuring Christopher is available on the Metier label. More details can be found on metierrecords.co.uk. Stephen Robbings (piano) graduated from the Royal Academy of Music with first class honours and was awarded almost every prize for performance, culminating in the McFarren Medal, the Academy's highest award for pianists. As well as giving many concerto and recital performances in major venues throughout the UK, Stephen has given concerts and masterclasses in Europe, China and the USA. He has played for BBC Radio and Television and made numerous recordings as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. Stephen also works in the audio field as a sound engineer, editor and producer. back to top to main catalogue