The modern oboe is fitted with a raft of keys to make the sound quality as consistent as possible - whatever the key the music is written in. Typically made in a dense, heavy African blackwood, the sound is penetrating and bright in order to be heard in the context of a modern symphony orchestra.

Click here to hear Vanessa Britton playing the opening bars of Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba".

 

Baroque oboe by Christopher Monk Instruments after Stanesby of London early 18th century.

Modern oboe - Howarth S5

By contrast, the Baroque oboe has very few keys, so many notes have to be produced using cross fingerings. These notes have a veiled, softer sound when compared with those that do not use cross fingerings. The instruments were usually made of boxwood and then stained with acid. As a result, the instrument is much lighter than a modern oboe and has a softer, more mellow tone.

Click here to hear Vanessa Britton playing the same sound sample as above on the Baroque oboe.