Danna Sundet, Professor of Oboe at Kent State University and Administrator the archives and musical library of the late John Mack, submitted the very interesting information below:
Lorée Systeme 6 bis, modéle Tabuteau oboe
Photos courtesy of Danna Sundet and Kent State University
I am custodian of a Lorée Systeme 6 bis, modéle Tabuteau oboe that is owned by the oboe studio of Kent State University. The oboe sections are derived from two distinct instruments: the top and middle joints (1938) of a newer oboe AI 76; and the bell (1937) of an older oboe AH 94. (Marcel Tabuteau frequently combined different instrument parts until he found a match that suited his taste). Note that Tabuteau’s name and that of the Philadelphia Orchestra are stamped into the bell beneath the Lorée logo.
We are still researching to find out how the oboe ended up belonging to the Kent State University Oboe Studio. The two connections at this point in time are: John de Lancie Jr. (actor and son of John de Lancie) was a 1971 graduate of Kent State University and may have been a potential donor. [This has now been ruled out.] Another possibility: John Mack was affiliated with Kent State University and the Kent Blossom Music Festival from 1968 to his passing in 2006; there are two oboe scholarships in his name at KSU. Perhaps he was the donor. The John Mack Collection of materials has many Tabuteau items, but interestingly, the oboe is not part of the collection and is still a mystery. I will update this webpage as more information is gathered.
Although the oboe has aging issues, after more than 80+ years, it is still solid and has a lovely, velvety tone. It feels small in my hands compared to oboes today, and the stretch between the index finger in the right hand and middle finger is a bit far for my small hands and doesn’t have the plate to keep right hand index finger from slipping. The tone is mighty and sports a very colorful upper register. I enjoy letting the Kent State students play it from time to time and I take it to the John Mack Oboe Camp where students get to try it there also.
— D.S.
The Talking Box
Marcel Tabuteau owned a black box [18 5/8” L x 4 1/2” W x 6 1/4” D] where he kept his cane (see photos below). When Tabuteau retired in 1954, he sold off most of his oboe paraphernalia. Felix Kraus, longtime English Hornist with The Cleveland Orchestra (who had studied with Tabuteau at the Curtis Institute of Music from 1950 to 1952), bought the famous black box. He later gave it to his friend and Cleveland Orchestra colleague, principal oboist John Mack (Curtis 1948-51) as a souvenir. Mack thought it was a wonderful gift and said that when he was quoting Tabuteau once, the box actually creaked! As a result, John Mack’s students gave it a name: ‘The Talking Box.’
— Danna Sundet
Making Reeds
I came across this 1945 photo in the collection. 18-year-old John Mack is making reeds at his desk in Somerville, NJ. Notice the photo of Marcel Tabuteau hanging just under his desk lamp.
— D.S.
Tabuteau Notations
The penciled notations in John Mack’s Barret book were written by Marcel Tabuteau while Mack was studying with him. Courtesy of Danna Sundet