Catalogue

Summary:

“These substantial, often engaging works are accorded full justice by the soloists for whom they were conceived. Mary Lynch performs feats of agility on her brace of instruments, then Harrison Linsey endows the bass oboe with soulfulness and gravitas. David Sabee secures a committed response from the Northwest Sinfonia (strings especially lustrous in those latter two pieces), captured in an ample but never diffuse ambience. Well worth investigating …” – Richard Whitehouse, Gramophone  

“The writing in these three concertos is tonal and all three are well put together and skillfully orchestrated. Each concerto seeks to respond to, and articulate, the distinctive character of each of the three solo instruments … soloists are very impressive and David Sabee conducts with perception and good judgement.” – Glyn Pursglove, MusicWebInternational.com 

“An enjoyable and skillful set of neoclassic concertos for anyone, this release will be essential for wind players and their associated enthusiasts.” – James Manheim, AllMusic.com 

“… Conductor David Sabee and the Northwest Sinfonia make a strong case for these three significant works for double reeds, and the recorded sound is lifelike and reverberant, frosting on the cake for these splendid soloists in this expertly crafted music. Repertory collectors, especially for those looking for something different, ought to eat this up, but it will be good fare for music lovers in general: This Nickel is worth far more than five cents.” – David DeBoor Canfield,  Fanfare

Christopher Tyler Nickel’s contemporary classical compositions pack a bracing and emotional punch. His award-winning works for the concert hall, stage and screen have been heard in over 160 countries by audiences in the tens of thousands. His experience as an oboist instils a confidence to compose with an exhilarating freedom to explore the vast expressive range of the instrument, from lyrical and plaintive to acerbic and brittle. The world-premiere recordings of these three concertos for oboe and its lower-pitched siblings the oboe d’amore and bass oboe receive dazzling performances by Mary Lynch, principal oboe of the Seattle Symphony, and Harrison Linsey, oboist with the Washington D.C.-based National Symphony Orchestra. Grammy Award-winning David Sabee, a tireless advocate of contemporary classical music, conducts the Seattle-based Northwest Sinfonia.

Tracklist:

CHRISTOPHER TYLER NICKEL (b. 1978)

Concerto for Oboe (2012)
1. I. Andante (forcefully) (9.59)
2. II. Andante (8.11)
3. III. Allegro (with driving energy) (10.28)

Concerto for Oboe d’amore (2014)
4. I. Andante (5.57)
5. II. Andante misterioso – Andante agitato – Andante (12.20)

Concerto for Bass Oboe (2016)
6. I. Andante (9.15)
7. II. Adagio (5.34)
8. III. Allegro agitato (6.50)

Total time: 68.52

Recorded 11 September 2017 (6-8), 8 July 2018 (1-3), 5 December 2018 (4-5)
St. Thomas Chapel at Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington, USA
Producer: Christopher Tyler Nickel
Engineers: Kory Kruckenberg (1-3, 6-8); Dave West (4-5)