Emerald City Music showcases the dextrous versatility of the oboe – a traditionally solo instrument – as a duo. The program was created with two specific super star oboists in mind: returning artist, James Austin Smith and Emerald City Music debut artist, Titus Underwood. The evening explores historical keystone pieces written for the oboe – from the baroque era to classical, mid-20th century, and finally to the contemporary sounds of 2024. The flurry of oboes is interjected with a light hearted and virtuosic piece by Mark O'Connor for violin, viola, cello, and bass. The program features a world premiere by Fred Onovwerosuoke commissioned by Emerald City Music, written for two solo oboes and string quintet. The American composer, who was born in Ghana of Nigerian parents, writes music that bears influences from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the American Deep South. Instrumentation that features two oboes in double-soli is exceedingly rare and the works with this configuration were primarily popular in only the baroque era. The program platforms one of these works, Albinoni's Concerto, published in 1722, bookending the evening with its modern counterpart.

The commission and premiere of Fred Onovwerosuoke's Concertino for Two Solo Oboes and String Quintet is supported in part by a 2024 Project Grant by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how NEA grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.