by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Album Title: MOZART SERENADE NO. 10 “GRAN PARTITA”
Recording: London Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble
Conductor: Lorenzo Iosco
Publisher: LSO Live SACD LSO5075 Purchase CD
This legendary composition by Mozart doesn’t need any introduction to orchestra and wind ensemble players. This masterwork for a dozen wind players plus string bass (or contrabassoon) is a historic seven-movement composition for a large ensemble of wind instruments. The choice of string bass is used for this performance and serves as a supportive voice that can be both heard and felt. A pair of basset horns play a very important role within the Serenade; their voices could be considered the predecessors to future harmony clarinets. There are a few modern-day wind ensembles that will revive the basset horn to substitute for or strengthen the alto clarinet usage. The Christmas Clarinets CD reviewed in this issue is a prime example. The performance by the members of the London Symphony Orchestra is most exquisite. Every audio music library should have a quality recording of the Gran Partita and this would be a splendid version.
