The players on this latest Oboe Classics release were the principals, the stars. But each relied on supportive second Oboe players, most of whom have blended into the shadows of history. More than anything the second player’s responsibility is to listen and mimic the principal player’s accent. The second oboe on the recording of the Entry of the Queen of Sheba was Michael Dobson, as much responsible for the remarkable unanimity of phrasing and articulation as Roger Lord’s leading. Compared with today’s oboists, these players used lighter reeds that provided easier response and greater potential to vary tone colour and dynamics.