Thoughts on the external development of the oboe in France from 1650 to 1810In memoriam Marc Ecochard (1941-2022)

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to reconstruct the development of the external forms of the French oboe from 1650 to about 1810. Several different types of oboe are identified on the basis of the groups of turning elements which constitute the general profiles of the three joints of the instrument: the top joint, the centre one and the bell. The types thus established represent chronologically ordered stages of a historical process carried out by several generations of French makers, who also had close relationships (partially discussed here) with the Italian and German ones. This inquiry means to expand what has already been done by E. Halfpenny and B. Haynes, whose work allowed the following oboe types to be identified: A₁, A₂, A₃, B, C, D₁, D₂, D₃ and E. Here a comprehensive reformulation is proposed, with the addition of four new types: D₄, F, G and H.