Breathing techniques and courtly soundscapes

During my studies which naturally focused primarily on instrumental training sufficient time was also devoted to music theory and music history. As a result I wrote a thesis and created an artistic work with a CD recording the written part of which is reproduced here. The completely different choice of topics is due to my inclination to learn about specific subjects in great detail. The first paper deals with the artistic ambitions of the Hungarian King Matthias and discusses the musical events at the court of Buda at that time. Although the quality of the music-making at that time cannot be researched individual personalities and their activities provide a small insight into 15th-century Hungary. The second paper deals with circular breathing on the oboe. Although this breathing technique is particularly suitable for this wind instrument it is by no means a 'new' invention. Guidance on how to approach the technique and individual examples from the literature round off the topic.