Richard Strauss - Oboe Concerto
for Chamber Ensemble

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) composed his Oboe Concerto in 1945 towards the end of the Second World War. His home in Garmisch had been visited by American troops, who were securing the town. One soldier was John de Lancie, oboist with the Pittsburgh Orchestra, who asked Strauss whether he had intended to compose a concerto for oboe. Strauss had not, but the idea grew in his mind and he quickly composed the work for pleasure. It was scored for a Classical-size orchestra with a Mozartian touch, having a small wind section, no percussion or heavy brass. The chamber small-scale approach lends itself well to a reduced arrangement. This version is for oboe and string quintet and is the complete work unabridged. 

Instrumentation: oboe, violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass

Available to purchase from Aria Editions here

Listen to a performance of the arrangement here:

Strauss - Oboe Concerto (24:06)