An Analytical Discussion of Works for Oboe, Oboe d'amore, and English Horn by Charles Koechlin (1867-1950)

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to provide an analysis of Charles Koechlin’s works which feature the oboe, oboe d’amore, and English horn. These works represent a variety of genres: one sonata with piano, two sonatines with chamber orchestra, a chant for English horn and piano, one reed trio, a wind septet, a suite for unaccompanied English horn, and four monodies for all three instruments. Often treating the oboe like a purely pastoral instrument, many of these works appear to have the same characteristics; however, after a closer look, each of these works provide the performer and listener with different aspects of the instrument’s capabilities, all while exploiting the instrument’s ability to play extremely long phrases and flowing melodies. Some of Koechlin’s works showcasing the oboe have been briefly discussed and analyzed in other dissertations and articles yet no previous research has focused solely on these compositions. In this document, all of these pieces are examined in chronological order based on their date of composition. Not only does this show an evolution of Koechlin’s compositional style, but it also allows one to observe how the composer treated these instruments differently as his research into each instruments’ capabilities was concluded. These analyses focus mainly on each work’s formal and stylistic aspects as well as some of the compositional methods used by Koechlin. Even though these musical works present a variety of genres, a diversity of instrumentation, and several extra-musical associations, each of these pieces feature Koechlin’s unique compositional style and character.