'Classical Highlights' presents the best-known and most popular performance pieces of the classical repertoire in arrangements for oboe and piano. The extensive selection of literature provides an excellent gateway to classical masterpieces from Handel and Bach to Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Wagner, as well as Fauré, Elgar, Debussy, and Satie. Every oboist looking for a popular classic for lessons or performances will make a find. Suitable repertoire for musical accompaniment at weddings and funerals can be found here as well. To make practising easier, backing tracks can be downloaded as MP3 files. The piano accompaniment is available in PDF format.

Here are three refreshing new modern arrangements of three popular traditional carols ?like you ain?t never heard them before?. Intended for the intermediate oboe player and a reasonably competent pianist, they are sure to brighten up your Christmas events whether at home, school, church or recital hall. The pieces could be used during a Christmas service or as stand-alone pieces at an end-of-term presentation. The audio sample includes recordings of all three pieces.

The King Rides Out (based on ?Good King Wenceslas?) starts conventionally enough but turns into a country-style song and then there?s a three-part Bach-like contrapuntal section, concluding with a wistful coda. Waltz with Holly ? or Possibly Ivy (based of course on ?The Holly and the Ivy?) turns into a dreamy waltz with long extended phrases and a good vehicle to show the oboe player?s tone quality. The Merry Gentleman go Latin is a lively rumba version of ?God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen?.

Colin Kirkpatrick studied composition, cello and piano at London?s prestigious Royal College of Music and after graduation followed a career in music education. He was a High School Music Director in London for about fifteen years and later became a Music Education Adviser for local government, with the added responsibility for training teachers and directing the instrumental teaching service.

He has been published by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, Paxton, Schott, Oxford University Press, Chester and Belwin Mills. He holds MA and PhD degrees and his other interests include reading, photography, travel, cooking and wine tasting.