I’m not familiar with this player.
IF I were to do an audition (but I’m not), I would certainly do the English horn rather than the oboe. I know these works like the back of my hand. Or better.
But no, I’m not going to go for his. For one, I can’t imagine I’d win. For another, I’m not up for YouTube watchers’ ridicule. I’ve seen them bash the best of the best, so I’d hate to think what they’d do to me! I’m chicken that way.
And yes, this English horn player says, “It’s neither English nor a horn.” 😉
Do you notice the half hole finger coming up entirely for the D? I’ve seen that with oboe as well … I’m not sure if this is just a different way of fingering on the same kind of horn I have, or if it’s due to the thumb plate system. I do know many (maybe all?) UK players use the thumb plate system. Or maybe she just has her half hole finger completely up for middle D. Dunno! When she talks about putting down the index finger for the low F on Roman Carnival you definitely see that finger up for D! I don’t do that, so I have to deal with just getting the finger rolled back to cover the half hole. I’ve not really found this a big deal, but it really does depend on a good reed!
Patti, I don’t believe that her half hole key is split. If you look at a bit after 4:00 you can see her lift her finger and I don’t see a split B key. Also, I believe that her horn is a much earlier model…many of the keys have rings instead of the key “covers” like my instruments have. I wonder if you have to add additional keys to make the sound even? My oboe teacher played a Loree from the 40’s with rings instead of “modern” keys. Just a curious observation.