Search - Westwood Wind Quintet;John Barcellona;Peter Christ;Oboe;William Helmers;Clarinet;Calvin Smith;Horn;Patricia Nelson;Bassoon :: Anton Reicha: Woodwind Quintets Vol. 11: opus 100, nos. 3 & 4

Anton Reicha's 24 woodwind quintets are the foundation of the literature. Reicha was one of the most respected composers and teachers of the early 1800s. He was a friend of Beethoven and Haydn, and teacher of Berlioz, Franck, Gounod, and Liszt. These works are like symphonies in their scope, each one over 30 minutes long. The writing is perhaps the most beautiful ever for winds, and some of the most beautiful ever written for any instrument. The works are virtuosic as well as lovely, with extremely difficult passages which are handled with aplomb by the Westwood Wind Quintet.