PRE-ORDER: Ardinghello Ensemble - Flute Qnts Op. 50 [CD], Ardinghello Ensemble, CD

The fact that the name and work of the Baden court conductor Franz Danzi are held in the highest regard, particularly among wind quintet players, is only to be expected given that his catalogue of works includes no fewer than nine pieces for this ensemble. It seems that this hard-working man had a particular fondness for wind instruments - especially the flute, which he featured in three sets of works accompanied by two, three and four string players. Having added the three Flute Trios, Op. 71, to our catalogue only a few weeks ago, we now present another distinctive collection penned by Danzi: the three Quintets, Op. 50, which subtly bridge the gap between the outer reaches of the Classical period and the early Romantic era. Whereas the first piece in E flat major is unquestionably one of those delightful, gallant works, the later Quintet in B minor is cast in the soft shadows of a new era. The predominantly dance-like mood of the final work-interrupted by an expressive Larghetto-concludes the cycle with a touch of nostalgia.