St John's C of E Primary School
"Use your God-given gifts to serve others." 1 Peter 4: 10
The oboe: 'Gabriel's oboe' & 'Handbags and Gladrags' 15.4.24
The oboe
'Gabriel's Oboe' is the main theme for the 1986 film ‘The Mission’. The theme was written by the Italian composer Ennio Morricone. The soundtrack for the film was very popular and Morricone won a Golden Globe for best original score.
The solo is played on the oboe. The oboe is a double reeded woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic or resin. A musician who plays the oboe is called an oboist. An oboe has a very bright sound and is often used to play solo parts in orchestral pieces.
‘Handbags and Gladrags’ was written in 1967 by Mike d’Abo . Here it is performed by the Welsh rock band ‘Stereophonics’ In their version, an oboist plays a line of the tune a a beautifully legato (smooth and flowing) style. You will often hear an oboe playing small themes or tunes in popular music – have a listen out for its timbre (the distinctive quality of its sound).
