AboutGeoffrey Bridge Expertise Professional oboist with many years experience. Former pupil of Leon Goossens. Solo artist for Arts Council of Great Britain. Freelance recitalist/broadcasting/orchestras. Former Head of woodwind teaching in Hampshire, England. Questions on repertoire, playing styles, reeds, cane selection and processing.
Experience Royal College of Music
Licenciate of the Royal Academy of Music
General Teaching Council certificate
Broadcast solo recitals/performed with major symphony orchestras/Music Club recitals
Expert: Geoffrey Bridge Date: 6/24/2008 Subject: Buying a new Cor anglais
Question QUESTION: Would really appreciate your advice. I am thinking of buying a cor anglais. I have max £3500 to spend and am based in the UK.
I currently play a Fossati oboe - and really love it. However, I am wondering whether it would be better to buy a Howarth cor as opposed to a Fossati? In terms of standard I am post grade 8. What would you advise and which model would you recommend?
Many thanks
Emma
ANSWER: Dear Emma
There are one or two alternatives I think.
At the moment Crowthers have what could be a great Loree cor. They are very good instruments indeed. I use one of these and my partner in the orchestra I play in has one too. This is a second hand professional model at £3495. It might be worth trying. Tell Ian Crowther you have been recommended by me and to tell you if there is any "history" that you ought to know!
Howarth make a very good instrument in the S40 which sells new at £3600 or you could also try a Patricola PT CS1 which Packers sell for £3699. A litte more than your budget but I know a lot of players like them.
The Fossati Tiery might be OK at £2750 new from Packer but I haven't tried one myself. I would go for the best model you can and if it be second hand and in good condition so be it. You probably won't ever buy another one... this means Loree/Howarth, Patricola and Fossati in that order. I think I would avoid the open holed ones unless weight is an issue for you. Howarth S2 's are pretty good.
Don't forget you will probably need to find a crook which suits you and the instrument too. You might not be too happy with the provided ones. I use Howarth crooks on my Loree and my partner uses Hiniker crooks on hers!!!
Best wishes with the project.
Geoffrey
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Geoffrey - many thanks for your EXTREMELY prompt response. Would you recommend Packer as a place to try? I have previously used John Myatt (although the deals don't look quite so good) and Wood Wind and Reed in Cambridge. However, given the potential spend, am willing to travel almost anywhere to try a good selection.
Many thanks
Emma
Answer Dear Emma
Packers are OK....they do have a few deals as you can see on their website with the Patricola but I don't think they are particularly oboe minded.
Myatts have gone into administration I'm afraid as of last February so nothing doing there now.
Crowthers is very good to deal with and I know Ian very well. Ask him about the Loree co unless you are dead against Loree or second hand for whatever reason! The guys at Wood Wind & Reed are fine but they are really Buffet oboe specialists now although they do of course sell other makes.
You have hit the nail on the head when you say "try a good selection". You may find say a Bulgheroni or something you hadn't thought of that plays really well and buy it because you just love it to bits.
Finding a selection of cors though might be tricky. Even Howarths might not have many in stock to try. Don't be put off a second hand one. They last for ever if they are cared for. BUT get it from a dealer NOT on ebay!
Have a mosey down to Canterbury and see what that Loree is like or have it sent to you and try it at home. If you don't take to it immediately just return it and say no thanks. As always ring first and find out how many you can try when you visit. AT Packer you could potentially try Fossati against Howarth against Patricola .... if they have stock.
The cheaper model of Howarth is quite good; that is the S20 and it is popular. Sometimes difficult to find even at Howarth's.
