English Phantasy

Details

Timothy Paek full profile / Oboe Quartet and Horn Quintet / 6 musicians

Other players: Jesse MacDonald, Michael Hustedde, Sophia Bernitz, Sarah Gagnon, Mary O'keefe

Full program notes

Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
Andante sostenuto and Allegro for Oboe Quartet

These contrasting sections reflect Elgar’s gift for melody and expressive atmosphere. The Andante sostenuto offers a lyrical, reflective opening, with the oboe’s singing lines supported by the warmth of the strings. The Allegro brings a livelier pace and greater animation, creating a compact journey from introspection to spirited interplay.

Benjamin Britten (1913–1976)
Phantasy Quartet for Oboe and Strings, Op. 2

Written in 1932 when Britten was just eighteen, the Phantasy Quartet showcases the young composer’s remarkable musical imagination. In a single continuous movement, lyrical melodies, energetic episodes, and shifting instrumental colors create a work of striking variety. The oboe moves between expressive solo passages and lively exchanges with the strings, revealing Britten’s emerging gift for chamber music.

York Bowen (1884–1961)
Horn Quintet

York Bowen’s music combines rich Romantic harmonies with expressive melodies and brilliant instrumental writing. In this quintet, the horn’s warm, resonant voice blends with the string quartet in a dialogue of lyrical passages, dramatic gestures, and virtuosic exchanges. The work highlights Bowen’s craftsmanship and his particular sensitivity to the colors and expressive possibilities of chamber music.

Videos from this player