In "Taming the Impossible," GRAMMY® Award-winning oboist Alex Klein redefines the boundaries of his instrument with a collection of bold and innovative performances. This album is a testament to Klein's technical mastery and his triumphant return to the stage after overcoming focal dystonia. The 22-track album, spanning a little over an hour, is a journey through a diverse range of compositions, from classical to contemporary, showcasing Klein's versatility and virtuosity.
The album opens with "Three Characteristic Studies," a series of pieces that highlight Klein's ability to explore new techniques and textures on the oboe. The "Caprices for Solo Oboe," a set of 13 virtuosic pieces, demonstrate Klein's extraordinary control and agility, with each caprice offering a unique challenge and musical exploration. The album also features well-known works such as Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumble-Bee" and Villa-Lobos' "Tico-Tico no Fubá," as well as lesser-known gems like "L'Abeille" and "Hora Staccato."
Recorded live, "Taming the Impossible" captures the energy and passion of Alex Klein's performances, offering a glimpse into the artist's personal journey and his relentless pursuit of musical excellence. This album is not just a display of technical prowess but also a celebration of resilience and the human spirit. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of the oboe, "Taming the Impossible" is an inspiring and captivating listen.
2025 Navona2025 Navona
Tracks
Three Characteristic Studies: “Le Api”Antonino Pasculli, Alex Klein, Pasculli Virtuosi
Three Characteristic Studies: “Studio sul Staccato”Antonino Pasculli, Alex Klein, Pasculli Virtuosi
Three Characteristic Studies: “Galopade”Antonino Pasculli, Alex Klein, Pasculli Virtuosi
Perpetual MotionNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein, Alessandra Odazaki
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 1 in E majorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 2 in B minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 3 in E minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 5 in A minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 6 in G minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 10 in G minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 12 in A-flat majorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 13 in B-flat majorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 16 in G minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 18 in C majorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 23 in E-flat majorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Caprices for Solo Oboe: No. 24 in A minorNiccolò Paganini, Alex Klein
Praeludium and Allegro: PraeludiumFritz Kreisler, Alex Klein, Alessandra Odazaki
Praeludium and Allegro: AllegroFritz Kreisler, Alex Klein, Alessandra Odazaki
L’AbeilleFrançois Schubert, Alex Klein, Christopher Thompson
Flight of the Bumble-Bee, from “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alex Klein, Christopher Thompson
Hora StaccatoGrigoras Dinicu, Alex Klein, Christopher Thompson
Tico-Tico no Fubá (A Sparrow on the Cornmeal)Ernesto Nazareth, Alex Klein, Christopher Thompson