Sara Fraker, Oboe – Faculty Artist Series Recital

with

assisted by members of the UArizona oboe studio

Mario LAVISTA

Marsias para oboe y copas de cristal (1982)

Reena ESMAIL

Pranayam for oboe and piano (2022)

Lachlan SKIPWORTH

Oboe Quartet for oboe, violin, cello and piano (2020)

*North American premiere

Three works position the voice of the solo oboe in a series of contrasting musical worlds. Mexican composer Mario Lavista evokes the myth of Marsyas and Apollo, exploring an encounter between human brokenness and divinity. Marsyas, represented by the oboe, traverses a landscape of shifting “harmonic fields” generated by eight crystal water glasses. Indian-American composer Reena Esmail, known for her synthesis of Hindustani and Western classical traditions, gives us a piece based on five yogic breaths (pranayam). Each movement invites the listener (but not the oboist!) into a different pattern of breath practice. Finally, we present the North American premiere of Australian composer Lachlan Skipworth’s Quartet for oboe, violin, cello and piano. It’s a brilliant new work that sparkles with joy and virtuosity, truly a balm for the spirit.