Last week, Buster at the Big Ten Inch posted a lovely lp featuring the oboe talents of Mitch Miller in works of Mozart, J C Bach and J S Bach. Most people know Mitch as "sing along with Mitch" however ,they are unaware of his talents as a classical oboist and musical impresario. His importance in the musical environment of our country cannot be understated.
Inspired by Buster, I dug out two of those leathery green Mercury albums featuring Mitch on the oboe, but the vinyl contents were in a sorry shape. I was hoping that Buster had these items but alas, it wasn't to be. So, in earnest, I took them out and retrieved what I could for mine, and I hope,your listening pleasure. This amounted to two of four sides.
Mitch is featured as soloist in the Vaughan Williams oboe concerto and the Pavana and Gigue of Luis Milan, the latter a 16th century composer. He is ably backed by the Saidenberg Little Symphony. As a supporting artist, Mitch plays in de Falla's harpsichord concerto with the esteemed Ralph Kirkpatrick as the soloist. The first two works were recorded in 1947 and the de Falla, I'd say c. 1950.
No doubt, Mitch Miller was a self assured artist on the oboe. His technical command of the instrument is beyond reproach and his ideas on phrasing are sound and musical. A true musician Mitch Miller and an American icon at that!
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