Adam Shapiro and Howarth Oboes
Friday April 11 2008
Two weeks ago I went and visited Adam Shapiro, a man who ordered reeds from me at one point and began a discussion about Howarth XLs. He said if I was ever in the neighborhood I could drop by and try them, so I took him up.
I was going up to Seattle to visit another friend and to take some English Horns to Peter Hurd and decided to drop by Adam. It turns out Adam is quite an accomplished oboist, 12 years in the Houston Opera and some in the symphony, and now subs in the Seattle Symphony a bit while working a day job at Microsoft. (Some people just have all of the talent, don’t they!?!?!?)
I’d never tried a Howarth before. I knew Woodhams has recently been playing one in Philadelphia, and Professor Schuring is on their posters. When I asked him about them he said, “They’re like a Royal, with all of the problems fixed.”
After trying the XLs, all I can say is WOW…. Adam had 3 XLs, a Cocobola model, a plastic top joint/grenadilla bottom joint one, and a new all Grenadilla model. I loved his all Grenadilla, followed by the Plastic top joint one. I felt like the Cocobola was a bit blown out in the top joint, to which Adam said that’s just the way Cocobola instruments feel, and that many people overblow the Cocobola instrument while trying to get more sound out of it. Now, Howarth is making Cocobola instruments with plastic liners only to prevent cracking, as well as give a bit more projection, which intrigued me. But I would definitely buy an XL in a heartbeat, and hope to buy Adam’s plastic top joint oboe when he’s ready to sell it which he says is the next one in line to be transferred out.
Adam also had a Howarth S6, a new prototype which has the bore of an XL but a thinner wall. I didn’t like this one as much, because the sound seemed so resonant that it felt difficult for me to control; perhaps if I had more time to make thicker reeds I’d appreciate it more. He loved it, and said for playing in the Seattle Symphony he needs a much bigger sound to cut through and thought the S6 would do just fine. I being a grad student, have never had a difficult time “cutting through” and therefore could only imagine.
We also compared the Howarth oboes to two brand new Marigaux’s which were on trial to him from RDG…. The Marigauxs were for his student “who really really wanted a Marigaux”, so we threw them into the mess. The difference was so stunning; the XLs had so much more life, response to the wind and color, and so much more flexibility, while the Marigauxs just kind of played there— like— well— Marigauxs. They had a beautiful sound, but there wasn’t near the possibilities with them.
I can’t wait to buy my next oboe. XL all the way!
Last note: Adam invited me back to his home to play duets or play for him any time, and was a very gracious host. Certainly one of the nicest fellows I’ve ever met, and I’m very grateful for his insight, experience, and hospitality!
