W. A. MOZART (1756-1791)

1-8 Serenade in B flat major, “Gran Partita”, KV 361

9 Allegro assai in B, KV 484b

10 Adagio in B, KV 411

11 Adagio in F, KV 580a

12 Adagio in F, KV 410

13-16 Duos 10, 7, 11 & 12, KV 487

“Oh, what an effect it made - excellent and grand, wonderful and sublime!” (J. F. Schink, Graz, 1785)

Anyone who already knows Mozart’s Gran Partita could not fail to agree with Schink’s near hyperbole. And anyone who has not heard this music, the most monumental piece of Harmoniemusik ever written, must be put into a category of those lucky few who have yet to experience music of overwhelming beauty and intensity. 12 wind instruments and a contrabass, all originals from the period or copies of originals, blend perfectly together for an exceptional 50 minutes of music, complemented here by other pieces by Mozart which show the same instruments in various combinations.

Harmoniemusik, music for classical wind ensemble, played by today’s top performers. Eric Hoeprich, director of Nachtmusique and the Stadler Trio, principal clarinet of Brüggen’s Orchestra of the 18th Century, instrument builder, professor of early clarinet in Paris and The Hague, is the world’s leading early clarinet specialist, both as a performer and a scholar. His CDs on Glossa are a reference for everybody interested in one of Mozart’s preferred genres. His brilliant version of the Clarinet Concerto with the Orchestra of the 18th Century is also out on Glossa these days.