The piccolo oboe is the smallest and highest pitched member of the oboe family. Pitched in E-flat or F above the regular oboe (which is a C instrument), the piccolo oboe is a sopranino version of the oboe, comparable to the E-flat clarinet. The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... Eâ clarinet with Oehler system keywork. ...
Makers
Piccolo oboes are produced by the French makers F. Lorée and Marigaux (pitched in F) and the Italian firm Fratelli Patricola (pitched in E-flat). Lorée calls its instrument "piccolo oboe" and Marigaux and Patricola call their instruments oboe musette. As of 2006, a new instrument typically sells for US$6,000-7,500.
Repertoire
The instrument has found the most use in chamber music and avant-garde circles, where it is valued for its unusual tone colour. Perhaps the best-known pieces requiring piccolo oboe are Solo and Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra No. 2, both by Bruno Maderna. It is also used in film scoring. Bruno Maderna (April 21, 1920 - November 13, 1973) was an Italian-German conductor and composer. ...