The oboe d’amore is a woodwind instrument with two reeds that belongs to the oboe family. In Italian, the name literally translates to “love oboe.” It is a member of the alto or mezzo soprano line of oboes and is slightly larger than an oboe. It plays in the key of A, which is a minor third lower than the oboe, and produces a soft, smooth sound.
The oboe d’amore was first used Christopher Graupner, a German composer, in 1717 for his concerto “Wie wunderbar ist Gottes Gut.” It was invented sometime in the early 18th century German craftsmen. During the Baroque period, it remained a popular instrument. Johann Sebastian Bach, another composer, was enamored with the instrument and composed “Et in Spirit Sanctum” for it. After being forgotten for nearly a century, the instrument was revived romantic, classical composers like Richard Strauss and Claude Debussy.
The English horn is slightly larger than the piccolo oboe and slightly smaller than the piccolo oboe. The oboe d’amore is made of a variety of woods, including granadilla, cocus, and rose wood, in both antique and modern versions. It’s shaped like a long tube that tapers off at the mouthpiece and has a bell-shaped bulb on the other end. The bell is pear-shaped and slightly larger than that of a standard oboe. The instrument’s bocal, or curved tube responsible for pitch, is longer than an oboe’s, resulting in a higher pitch.
The oboe d’amore is more difficult to play than other oboe family instruments due to the size of the bore, crook, reed, and bell. Oboists encounter more resistance on the instrument, and achieving proper intonation takes time and practice. When the musician has mastered the skill, he or she can produce a steady, smooth sound that is peaceful and calming, similar to the whisper of a soft breeze.
Because the instrument produces such a soft sound, it is best suited for small groups performing in intimate settings or chamber music. The oboe d’amore is also commonly used in sacred compositions or religious works, such as Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” for Christmas church services. During the Baroque period, it was also used to accompany secular cantatas performed in Lutheran churches across Europe. In an attempt to recreate the pieces written for it, the instrument is still used in orchestras today.