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© Catherine Boucault
© Catherine Boucault
© Catherine Boucault
© Catherine Boucault
© Catherine Boucault

Olivier Cottet

Olivier Cottet Woodwind instrument maker
Contact
French
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+33 675382687
© Catherine Boucault

Historical oboes

  • • Olivier recreates rare instruments
  • • The choice of wood is a key factor in his work
  • • He was awarded the tile of Maître d’art in 2002

Master craftsman and musician, Olivier Cottet has over 40 years of expertise in the making of historical bassoons and oboes. As a specialist in early instruments, he has contributed to the research movement to interpret the music of past centuries, ensuring the preservation of the musical heritage’s diversity. From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, the 17th and 18th centuries up to today, Olivier masters the rich variety of sounds and constructions of each period. He has notably supplied most of the orchestras dedicated to early music. Whether it involves woodworking or metalworking, all the elements of the oboe are crafted by his hands. Olivier even creates his own tools to adjust each piece of the instrument with the greatest precision.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Alexis Lecomte
  • © Alexis Lecomte
  • © Alexis Lecomte
  • © Catherine Boucault
  • © Catherine Boucault
Photo: © Alexis Lecomte
Black oboe after Richter's (1710)

This oboe was entirely handcrafted by Olivier Cottet after Richter's (1710). It is made from ebony wood; the keys of the instrument and the fine decorations are made from silver and ivory. The oboe was made in the old traditional way with the use of a wood lathe. The keys and decorations were all crafted by hand.

Photo: © Alexis Lecomte
Oboe after Anciuti

This oboe was entirely handcrafted by Olivier Cottet after Anciuti. It is made of stained boxwood; it has been pierced with a wood lathe and carved in octagonal shape. The fine decorations are in ivory, and the keys of the instrument in chased silver. The reamer, a rotary cutting tool, was designed and made by Olivier to give the oboe its inner shape.

Photo: © Alexis Lecomte
Oboe after Anciuti

Here are two bodies of an oboe handcrafted by Olivier Cottet, after Anciuti's original oboe. The exterior has been carved in octagonal shape, (the bell is not being shown here). The sealing between the bodies of the oboe is ensured by the red thread visible.

Photo: © Catherine Boucault
Series of oboes and bassoons

This series of instruments, entirely handcrafted by Olivier Cottet, features oboes and bassoons from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, as well as some modern models. The instruments are made of either ebony, maple or boxwood.

Photo: © Catherine Boucault
Series of bassoons and oboes

This series of instruments, entirely handcrafted by Olivier Cottet, features oboes and bassoons from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, as well as some modern models. The instruments are made of either ebony, maple or boxwood.

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