Belfiato Quintet – Music for Wind Instruments – CD

The Belfiato Quintet presents music for wind instruments by three Czech composers of the first half of the 20th century: Josef Bohuslav Foersters Wind Quintet, Op. 95, Pavel Haass Wind Quintet, Op. 10, and Leo Janeks Mld, a wind sextet. The quintet consists of Oto Reiprich on flute, Jan Souek on oboe, Ji Javrek on clarinet, Ondej indel on bassoon and Kateina Javrkov on French horn, joined by Jindich Pavli on bass clarinet for Janeks work. Belfiato Quintet is a prominent Czech chamber ensemble on the international stage. Its young members perform in leading orchestras, including the Czech Philharmonic and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and have received valuable competition distinctions both individually and as an ensemble. This first studio recording, made after twelve years together, is devoted entirely to Czech composers. Foerster composed his Wind Quintet in 1909 at the request of a virtuoso ensemble founded by the Vienna Philharmonic. Pavel Haass work, written twenty years later, reflects Janeks influence, folk inspiration and the influence of Stravinsky. Janeks sextet Mld was written only five years earlier and is filled with vital energy that rises above longing and melancholy. Joy, playfulness, inspiration and virtuosity define the Belfiato Quintets debut album.