Marcel Tabuteau: How Do You Expect to Play the Oboe If You Can't Peel a Mushroom?
"Everyone always said that a book ought to be written about that unique and extraordinary man, Marcel Tabuteau. Now, at last, the book has arrived." —Louis RosenblattA former student of the Tabuteau, Storch (emer., Univ. of Washington School of Music) combines Tabuteau's biography and philosophies with institutional and cultural history and douses the whole with anecdotal humor. She begins with her own experiences of her teacher but reaches far beyond her personal knowledge. A world-renowned oboist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and professor at The Curtis Institute, Tabuteau (1887-1966) not only revolutionized oboe playing but also had a significant influence on orchestral teaching in the US. On the included CD, Tabuteau himself demonstrates his musical philosophy and his unique character. The cornucopia of stories and pictures volunteered by friends, family, students, and colleagues covers everything from his fumbles as a young oboist in New York, to his trouble during the gold embargo of 1933, to his retirement years in Nice. Combining a rich portrait of Tabuteau with discussion of the music and culture of period, Storch's intriguing book will appeal to a broad audience, not just oboists. Anyone interested in music will find Tabuteau's philosophies and Storch's research beneficial and applicable. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/professionals; general readers. --ChoiceE. E. Frisbie, Lawrence University, January 2008"... This book will be informative, interesting, and beneficial for anyone who is involved with the performance of music in the United States, whether in the field or in academe." —Lois Kuyper-Rushing, Louisiana State University, Notes, June 2009"[Storch's] personal descriptions of what it was like to study with this mercurial genius are absolutely fascinating; they provide indispensable glimpses for this generation of oboe students, not to mention future ones." —Dan Stolper, Interlochen Centre for the Arts"Ms. Storch's style is descriptive, informative, and engaging—a nice blend between the historical and the personal. This volume gets my vote as the winning historical profile of one of the most influential and revered performers and pedagogues of our time—Marcel Tabuteau. A must for every serious musician's library." —Linda Strommen, Indiana University"... Storch’s intriguing book will appeal to a broad audience, not just oboists. Anyone interested in music will find Tabuteau's philosophies and Storch's research beneficial and applicable." —Choice, January 2009"Laila Storch... is generous in her admiration of [Marcel Tabuteau's] compelling artistry. She has produced a monumental tribute to an extraordinary musician whose influence remains alive in each generation of American oboists." —Anthony McColl, Double Reed News, 87 Summer 2009"[This biography is] movingly personal.... may prove to be one of the most accomplished and important musical biographies of the 21st century." —Christopher Brodersen, Fanfare, 8/1/10"In this volume, Ms. Storch cleverly captures the essence of Marcel Tabuteau, one of the finest musicians and greatest teachers of his era and whose unique perspective profoundly influenced classical music for generations to follow. The stories she tells about this remarkable man are, at once, poignant, witty and right on the mark." —John Minsker"Laila Storch's biography of Marcel Tabuteau provides a detailed and intimate portrait of the life and artistry of the man widely considered to be the father of the American school of oboe playing." —The Double Reed, Vol. 33, No. 2, Summer 2010