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Summary: Wide Ranging Anniversay Concert
Comment: In the year 2000 this Amsterdam based reed quintet celebrated its 15th anniversary with this program of compositions spanning 600 years, from Ockeghem to Ter Doest and Koolmees.
They answer the question put in the first piece (Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker) of can a reed quintet replace an entire symphony admirably well. Due to the original score omitting the basses and cellos, they fill in well with the bass clarinet.
Moving playing of Duke Ellington's "Jump for joy" along with some delicately played chamber music of England's William Byrd. Many of the rest were new to me, but enjoyed very much their profound work on Ockeghem's Intmerata Dei Mater, with a most delightful sounding basset horn dominating. Ockeghem's Mort, tu as navre is excellently performed as well.
The Francesco Bendusi piece of the 16th century, "La Monina" is so nice, with its pastoral oboe beginning to the oboe/bassoon interplay leading to the clarinet entry. Just a delightful ensemble piece highlighted by much ornamentation.
Demonstration of vast reportoire of this unique reed qunitet, who play with passion, control and clarity.
