Search - Bernhard Henrik Crusell, Rodolphe Kreutzer, Antoine Reicha :: Oboe Quintets

Exquisite Chamber Music

rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 04/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is just light, airy, bouncy music from a string quartet joined by outstanding oboeist.Played here are three unknown till now composers from the turn of the nineteenth century: Crusell, Kreutzer and Reicha.Crusell's Divertimento, a four movement piece featuring wonderful oboe flashes from Ms. Francis. Especially appealing are the Andante movement as well as the wonderful Allegro vivace finale.The Kreutzer piece seems ideally suited to the oboe, witness the great operatic dialogue between the oboe and first violin in the Adiago. Short, but with a pleasing vocal quality throughtout. Very enjoyable.The final selection by Reicha, who fascinating career which included who among his pupils included the likes of Berlioz and Liszt and Franck. A prominent chamber composer, here his craftmanship shines with crisp F Major piece originally for clarinet and strings, but here well done for oboe with its asymmetric phrasing.Francis has wonderful intonation and phrasing which reflects many moods and nuances. Her attacks and dynamics are captivating and at times, sounds like many different instruments. Strings from Allegri String Quartet provide sound foundation and stage for oboe."