Marcel Tabuteau (1887-1966) became the Philadelphia Orchestra’s principal oboist in 1915, and joined the Curtis Institute faculty in 1924, holding these positions until his retirement in 1954. His systematic approach to tone production, breathing, tone color, and (above all else) phrasing made its mark on several generations of professional American woodwind players and countless students. Shortly before Tabuteau’s death, oboist Wayne Rapier recorded his former teacher explaining and demonstrating his phrasing system in methodical detail. Although the sound quality is mediocre, the material is priceless.
Tabuteau shaped phrases by applying a number to each note representing a specific dynamic level. For instance, he’d take a phrase from Strauss’ Sinfonia domestica and play its rhythm on a single note in a steady crescendo that numerically translates as 12345. To imbue the phrase with a lighter, dance-like quality Tabuteau substitutes 11223. He then repeats the phrase with Strauss’ notes. This example is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Patience and wry humor, moreover, happily inform Tabuteau’s perfectionism, at least in these recordings. A full written transcript is provided, and it proves quite helpful in spots where you might have trouble deciphering Tabuteau’s heavily accented English.
