It's not just intonation: The role and possibilities of the oboe in works by Tristan Murail and Toby Twining

This project explores the oboe’s distinct role and capabilities in two microtonal works: L’Espritdes dunes (1994) by Tristan Murail, and The Book (2011) by Toby Twining, originally written for countertenor and cello as incidental music for the play Eurydice. I will also perform an original arrangement of The Book for oboe and cello,to show further possibilities for the microtonal oboe. My aim is to increase oboists’ understanding of microtonality;create a tool for approaching microtonal works;and help increase their command of the instrument by tackling the challenges presented by micro-intervals. This project seeks to explore intonation in a way that is relevant to contemporary music and modern musicians. Students can benefit from learning these techniques in order to not only widen the potential for the instrument, but also to increase their knowledge and technique.Because of the oboe’s unique and dense timbre, lack of modernization, and relationship with intonation, I believe it has great potential for microtonal music. With more awareness, experimentation, and education, we can push current expectations of expressivity and technique on the oboe.U of I OnlySchool of Music polic