Oh No Ringo!

Oh No Ringo! is the third movement of Robert W. Smith’s oboe concerto entitled Cosmic Harmonies based on three paintings by artist Fred “Nall” Hollis . It was named after an anecdote told by the artist Nall recalls that Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was with him in the studio when he was working on the art piece entitled “Cosmic Harmonies”. As Nall dripped red paint onto the canvas, Ringo cried out that he was ruining the painting. Nall simply replied “What do you mean ruin it? It’s my painting. Do I tell you how to drum?!”This final movement of Cosmic Harmonies is based on that moment with Ringo Starr and the ongoing love the Beatles had for Nall’s art. The juxtaposition of oboe in a rock-influence musical setting creates a compelling environment for the soloist and audience alike.