“The notable oboist Jacqueline Leclair played Kotik’s 1962 solo Etude 7. This was an interesting study in intervals, with Leclair nailing wide leaps from the instrument’s middle to altissimo registers. A well-formed piece, made with a precise balance of repeated ideas and phrases, it was fascinating to hear Kotik’s not yet fully-formed voice.”

“This volume, written by oboe soloist, chamber musician, and Professor at McGill University, Jacqueline Leclair, and published in the USA & Canada by Scarecrow Press, is the latest in the woodwind “Secrets” series commenced by Clarinet Secrets, written by Michele Gingras with the same publisher in 2006.

This series sets forth a quick set of pointers to improve musicians’ work as performers. Easy to use and intended for the advanced musician, so the book states, these books “fill a niche for those who have moved beyond what beginners and intermediate practitioners need.”

This excellent book does exactly what it says on the back cover. 75 pieces of advice are offered, none longer than a page or two at most, and are laid out very clearly in two to four short paragraphs each, comprising an explanatory introduction, followed by Technique (what to do), Note, and benefit ( a summary, often only a sentence or so).

The book falls into 9 chapters, entitled Practice Strategies, Tone & Rhythm, Reeds, Health & Strength and so on, concluding with English Horn Strategies and Advanced Techniques, which here includes circular breathing, double tonguing, flutter tonguing and glissandi.
In the Reeds chapter, Ms Leclair is naturally discussing techniques, dimensions etc. from the point of view of North American reed design, but nevertheless I found these techniques most interesting and thought-provoking. Good tying on, for instance, and a proper understanding of this, is vital to any sort of reed.

I would say that Oboe Secrets would be of use to oboists of almost any level beyond about grade 6, and while not a book for young children it is certainly a most useful resource. For the student or amateur it points the way to future development of playing, and better technique; it would be a most useful resource for teachers.

For a professional such as myself I found it thought-provoking and very rewarding to read: encouraging us to re-evaluate what we do, how we do it and why, and so on. Learning from our peers is most important at any stage, and while Ms Leclair’s suggestions might not always find 100% agreement from all readers, to think about what she suggests, and why, is a valuable exercise in itself.

Oboe Secrets clearly represents a great deal of work in assembling the ideas, describing things clearly and setting them out in a logical and highly readable way, with sensible use of illustrations. Many of the “secrets” would be of use to players of other instruments too. Jacqueline Leclair has done a very fine piece of work for us all, and I highly commend it.”

“For the many who associate the English horn primarily with slow, soulful melodies tinged with melancholy, a listen to the bold new CD by Jacqueline Leclair will be a wake-up call. Leclair, an intrepid and lauded contemporary music performer, presents a wide variety of pieces that demonstrate that this instrument is capable of a huge range of colours, moods, and expression…We musicians are lucky to be in a profession that demands constant learning and ever-expanding imagination. For those who want to grow, to be challenges, to be inspired, and to be delighted, listen to this remarkable new recording.”

“Brad Lubman and Ensemble Signal have given many of the best performances of my music I have ever heard.”

“Ensemble Signal can show and teach us that performing and listening to music — be it old or be it new — should become an existential adventure which might open our aesthetic and human horizon.”

“This music is exquisite and deserves to be heard. Dark Mountains presents premiere recordings of seven chamber works written by Karchin between 2004 and 2017, in stunning sound and in brilliant performances by Jacqueline Leclair (oboe), Miranda Cuckson (violin) and Steven Beck (piano). Reading his liner notes is also worth the price of admission as he eloquently describes the two ends of his process, from being inspired by poetry or other artworks to collaborating closely with musicians to realize the sounds he’s hearing in his head. And now that he’s put these alternately tart and rhapsodic pieces out into the world, they are available to inspire others.”