The first movement is tautly argued, and its material is drawn almost entirely from the opening string chords and following oboe tune. The central Adagio is a deeply expressive slow movement drawing on the oboe's inherent melodic qualities. The rhythmic finale finds the oboe in a more dance-like mood, and there is a cadenza before the coda brings the music to a decisive close.
William Mathias (1934-1992)
