Let's Hear it for the Winds!

A recording of pure delights!

Only the substitution of the contrabassoon for a Double Bass rankles what is a first-class production.

Speaking of rankling, the physical media does not mention who the oboe soloist is in the Oboe Concertino.

While I am on a roll, the liner notes hardly touch on the background of these works, instead seizing on Hummel's biography. It appears, these particular editions were found and performed for this recording only.

Enough of my bluster, as I love the sound of these winds, and Hummel's music is nothing but smiles abounding. Sure it might not shake the heavens with all its might, but here on the ground, one can use a as much sunshine as we can afford.

A review from 2024

What a delightful recording of wind chamber music!

The Oboe Concertino is the only work of any recorded frequency on this program. Here it is in its wind octet form, as you can also find it in an orchestral version, such as that with Heinz Holliger with Raymond Leppard . Unfortunately, this recording does not identify the oboe soloist, but I assume it must be either Gernot Schmalfuss or Christian Hartmann from the ensemble. Either way, it is fun, virtuosic oboe feat.

The rest are rarities. If there is a standout feature from the rest of the works, it is the spotlight Hummel gives each instrument to shine; eventually Hummel puts everyone through the wringer. The final galop of the Octet-Partita is a good time of a sendoff, yet the German players’ lyricism finds plenty of beauty throughout as well.

Otherwise, this is all joyful music, and that very full wind sound is so pleasant on the ears. I am not sure why the Consortium Classicum didn’t use a contrabassoon instead of the Double Bass, but it is pure nitpickery on my end. The ensemble plays with spirited élan, and I could hardly believe a finer performance existing, nonetheless finding such a program purely dedicated to Hummel’s beautiful wind-based chamber music.

The MDG sound puts the woodwinds upfront, with only the horns a little removed, I assume since their bells face behind. Regardless, this is an easily recommendable recording for those who enjoy Classical Era chamber music, here giving full due to the winds.

Works
Oboe Concertino in F Major, with wind octet (13.28)
Serenade in E-flat Major, for wind octet (18.11)
Wind Sixtet in E-flat Major (18.19)
Octet-Partita, for wind octet (12.19)

Performers
Consortium Classicum

Label: MDG
Year: 1993
Total Timing: 62.36

 

 

I am going to go ahead and give this an Oozy Keep thumbs up!

Sure, nothing here is going to change the world, and the compositions themselves are not looking to challenge the listener nor the landscape of music history.

Yet, a middling rating would be like cursing at a puppy or kitten. Sure you can do that, but what kind of life are we really talking about at that point?

Find more Hummel recording HERE!