Alexei en zijn hobo

The relationship with my instrument…
The oboe is my voice. And it’s like my brother – we’re together in our journey through life. The oboe is not only the toughest instrument in the world in terms of sound production, but it’s also very capricious. So sometimes we argue. But we always end up together with the most joyful moments onstage.

This instrument fits me because…
I’m very happy to play the French instrument Marigaux. For me personally, it offers the greatest range of colours, it gives me a lot of flexibility in the playing and offers great projection in the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw

A memorable piece I played on this instrument…
It was very emotional for me to begin the new season three years ago on my new instrument with the famous big oboe solo in the second movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto with Leonidas Kavakos and Mariss Jansons. Two months later, another special occasion: I played the Strauss Oboe Concerto with our orchestra. It was recorded live and released on CD.

Things hidden in my oboe case…
Like every musician, I have some secret things in my case. But… they are hidden there and will remain a secret.

The sound of my instrument…
It has the most sensitive, warm and pure tone. So of course, the oboe is the king of all instruments!

over alexei ogrintchouk