CRYSTAL RECORDS Woodwind Ensembles (See also individual instruments)

CRYSTAL RECORDS - Woodwind Ensembles (See also individual instruments)

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CD250: WOODWIND TREASURES -- Westwood Wind Quintet. August Klughardt, Quintet, op. 79; Luciano Berio, Opus Number Zoo; George Heussenstamm, Seven Etudes for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon; Boris Pillin, Scherzo; Robert Linn, Woodwind Quintet; Herman Stein, Sour Suite. UPC 00941472502-8 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

The Quintet by August Klughardt (1847-1902) is as close to Brahms as woodwind ensembles have. This is a lush, Romantic piece and this is the only recording of it. The other pieces were all first recordings and most are still the only recordings available.
The Westwood Wind Quintet (of Los Angeles) was founded in 1959 and performed actively for close to 40 years, during which time it gave over 3000 concerts and recorded more than 15 albums. This CD is made from recordings in 1971 and 1981. In the mid-1980s, Daniel Carriaga, music critic with the Los Angeles Times, wrote "An Accumulation of instrumental polish and important repertoire over a long period has resulted in a treasurable sense of ensemble and musical solidity."

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the movement shown.
Klughardt Quintet: Mvt 1(Allegro non troppo) Mvt 2(Allegro Vivace)   Mvt3(Andante) Mvt 4(Adagio)
Berio Opus Number Zoo: Tom Cats   Grey Mouse   Fawn   Barn Dance   Heussenstam Etudes: Mvt 1(Andante) Mvt 2(Allegro assai) Mvt 3(Allegretto) Mvt 4(Larghetto) Mvt 5(Allegro giocoso) Mvt 6(Allegro) Mvt 7(Moderato)   Pillin: Scherzo
Linn Quintet: Mvt 1(Allegro) Mvt 2(Adagio) Mvt 3(Allegro)   Stein Sour Suite: Parade   Larry's Lullaby     Bagatelle   Lucky Seven-Eight

CD264: Anton Reicha: Woodwind Quintets Vol 4: opus 91, no.s 1 & 2. Westwood Wind Quintet
This is the fifth release in Crystal Records' series of Anton Reicha's 24 woodwind quintets. UPC 00941472642-1 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

CD265: Anton Reicha: Woodwind Quintets Vol 5: opus 91, no.s 3 & 4. Westwood Wind Quintet
This is the second release in Crystal Records' series of Anton Reicha's monumental 24 woodwind quintets. These are beautiful works, symphonic in scope. Reicha (1770-1836) was a friend of Beethoven's and his writing illustrates the style of that period. One of the most influential composers and teachers of the early 1800s, Reicha was Professor of Counterpoint and Fugue at the Paris Conservatory. UPC 00941472652-0 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

The Westwood Wind Quintet has recorded more than 15 albums in addition to the Reicha series, and has performed over 2000 concerts since its inception in 1959. The group has been called "a complete and completely satisfying musical experience" by legendary conductor Robert Shaw. Daniel Carriaga, writing in the Los Angeles Times about a concert of the Westwood Wind Quintet, said "An accumulation of instrumental polish and important repertory over a long period has resulted in a treasurable sense of ensemble and musical solidity."

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Opus 91, no. 3 Mvmt 1 Mvmt 2 Mvmt 3 Mvmt 4 Opus 91, no. 4 Mvmt 1 Mvmt 2 Mvmt 3 Mvmt 4

CD266: Anton Reicha: Woodwind Quintets Vol 6: opus 91, no.s 5 & 6. Westwood Wind Quintet
This is the first release of a set of 12 CDs of Reicha’s 24 woodwind quintets. Reicha (1770-1836) was a friend of Beethoven's and was one of the most influential composers of his period. "The performances radiate affection for the music and technical virtuosity. A high recommendation." Fanfare UPC 00941472662-9 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

The Westwood Wind Quintet, extablished in 1959, has performed over 2000 concerts and recorded more than 15 albums, not including this Reicha series. The group was called "a complete and completely satisfying musical experience" by Robert Shaw, legendary conductor.

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Quintet in A Major, opus 91, no. 5 Mvmt 1 Mvmt 2 Mvmt 3 Mvmt 4 Quintet in C minor, opus 91, no. 6: Mvmt 1 Mvmt 2 Mvmt 3 Mvmt 4

CD267: Anton Reicha, Woodwind Quintets Volume 7: opus 99, no.s 1 & 2. Westwood Wind Quintet
This is the third release in Crystal’s exciting project of recording the complete 24 Reicha Woodwind Quintets. UPC 00941472672-8 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

According to the American Record Guide, “Reicha’s wind quintets...probably always will be regarded as the summit and foundation of the literature...The Westwoood Wind Quintet is known far and wide to lovers of this sort of music.” Gramophone Magazine has called the Westwood Wind Quintet a “magnificent American group” and the International Record Review said “The Westwood Wind Quintet has a standard of ensemble playing that is nothing short of breathtaking.”

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Reicha Quintet in C Major, opus 99, no.1 Mvt. 1 Mvt. 2 Mvt. 3 Mvt. 4 Quintet in F Minor, opus 99, no.2 Mvt. 1 Mvt. 2 Mvt. 3 Mvt. 4

CD269: Reicha Woodwind Quintets Vol 9: opus 99, Nos. 5 & 6. Westwood Wind Quintet
This is the fourth release in Crystal’s exciting project of recording the complete 24 Reicha Woodwind Quintets. UPC 00941472692-6 ORDER NOW    Click here for cover photo and details

            Fanfare has said of this series “only top-notch playing that can only be envied by lesser ensembles.” “The Westwood Wind Quintet has a standard of ensemble playing that is nothing short
            of breathtaking. [It is] something to be cherished.” International Record Review

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Opus 99, No. 5: Andante/Allegro Andante Menuetto Finale Opus 99, No. 6: Andante/Allegro Poco Vivo Air En Fantaisie. Andante Menuetto Finale

CD356: TOUR DE FRANCE. Webster Trio - Leone Buyse, Flute; Michael Webster, Clarinet; Katherine Collier, Piano. Gabriel Faure, Dolly Suite (flute, clarinet, and piano; trans. Webster); Faure, Morceau de concours (flute and piano; arr. Hulme-Brieff); Saint-Saëns, Tarantella, op. 6, (flute, clarinet, and piano); Debussy, Petite Piece & Premiere Rhapsodie (clarinet and piano); Syrinx (solo flute); Prelude à l'apres-midi d'un faune, (flute, clarinet and piano; trans Webster); Georges Bizet, Jeux d'enfants, (flute/piccolo, clarinet, and piano; trans Webster. UPC 00941473562-1 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Faure Dolly Suite: Mvt 1(Lullay) Mvt 2(Mi-a-ou) Mvt 3(Dolly's Garden) Mvt 4(Kitty-Valse) Mvt 5(Affection)

CD357: WORLD WIDE WEBSTER. The Webster Trio (Leone Buyse, Flute; Michael Webster, Clarinet; Robert Moeling, Piano). Antonin Dvorak, Slavonic Dances; Claude Debussy, Petite Suite; Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dances; Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Four Pieces (La Jota Aragonesa, Souvenir de la Havane, Souvenir de Cuba, Grande Tarantelle). UPC 0941473572-0 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Leone Buyse is former principal flutist with the Boston Symphony. Michael Webster is former principal clarinetist with the Rochester Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony. Robert Moeling is an international soloist and chamber musician. They are now based at the Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas. The works are superb, exciting transcriptions by Michael Webster from four-hand piano literature. "World Wide Webster is a fine new offering...These three musicians play as one, and their sense of ensemble and creative interpretations define the essence of chamber music." Flute Talk

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Antonin Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Presto (op.46,no.8) Moderato (op.72,no.14) Poco adagio (op.72,no.13) Allegretto grazioso (op.72,no.12) Poco allegro (op.46,no.6) Claude Debussy: Petite Suite En bateau Cortege Menuet Ballet Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dances No. 6 (Vivace) No.16 (Con moto) No.14 (Un poco andante) No.13 (Andanta grazioso) No.5 (Allegro) No.7 (Allegretto) No.21 (Vivace) Loius Moreau Gottschalk: La Jota Aragonesa Souvenir de la Havane Souvenir de Cuba Grande Tarantelle

CD358: PAS DE TROIS. Kenneth Tse, Saxophone, Benjamin Coelho, Bassoon, Alan Huckleberry, Piano. Bernard Van Beurden: Pas de trois; Jindrich Feld: Trio Giocoso; David Froom: Arirang Variations; Perry Goldstein: Noir; Don Freund: Louder than Words
UPC 00941473582-9 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Saxophone, Bassoon, and Piano is an unusual combination that creates an exciting and vibrant sound. The works on this CD represent some of the finest writing for this combination, and the performers are three of the best practioners of their art. They are on the faculty at the University of Iowa and perform internationally.

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Van Beurden: Pas de trois: Ouverture Pastorale Tarantella Feld: Trio Giocoso: Allegro Andante Allegro vivo Froom: Arirang Variations Goldstein: Noir Freund: Louder than Words: Part I Part II

CD601: NIELSEN, HINDEMITH, SCHULHOFF The Westwood Wind Quintet. Carl Nielsen, Quintet, op. 43; Paul Hindemith, Kleine Kammermusik für fünf Bläser, op.24, no. 2; Erwin Schulhoff, Divertissement for Oboe, Clarinet, & Bassoon. UPC 00941476012-8 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details
One of America’s premiere woodwind quintets, the WWQ was established in 1966 and has since performed over 2000 concerts. High Fidelity Magazine, speaking of this recording of Nielsen and Hindemith Quintets, wrote "Extraordinarytone quality. The Westwood performers manifest a technical finesse and a richness of tone that one would normally expect only from a solo concerto artist. I cannot imagine a better performance than the one given here by the Westwood Wind Quintet."

            Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
                Nielsen: Quintet Mvt 1 (Allegro Ben Moderato) Mvt 2(Menuet) Mvt 3 (Praeludium & Theme and Variations)
                Hindemith: Kleine Kammermusik Mvt 1 (Lustig, Massig schnelle Viertel) Mvt 2 (Walzer, Durchweg sehr leise) Mvt 3 (Ruhig und einfach.
                Achtel) Mvt 4 (Schnelle Viertel) Mvt 5 (Sehr lebhaft) Schulhoff: Divertissement Mvt 1 (Ouverture) Mvt 2 Burlesca Mvt 3 Romanzero Mvt 4
                Charleston Mvt 5 Tema con Variazioni e fugato Mvt 6 Florida Mvt 7 Rondino-Finale

CD647, Viola and the Winds.James Dunham, Viola; Westwood Wind Quintet; Jack Sanders, Guitar. Gustav Holst, Terzetto for Flute, Oboe, & Viola; Jerzy Sapieyevski, Concerto for Viola and Winds; Anthony Plog, Four Miniatures for Viola and Wind Quintet; Karl Kohn, Colla Voce for Viola and Guitar. UPC 00941476472-0ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

James Dunham was violist with the Grammy Award winning Cleveland Quartet. He presently teaches at the Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas. The Westwood Wind Quintet, founded in 1959, has performed thousands of concerts and has been described as "probably the best group of this kind anywhere." (New Orleans Courier)

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Sapieyevski: Concerto Holst Terzetto: Mvt 1(Allegretto) Mvt 2(Un poco vivace) Plog Miniatures: Mvt 1(Pastoral) Mvt 2(Toccata) Mvt 3(Chorale) Mvt 4(Allegro) Kohn: Colla Voce

CD750: WESTWOOD WIND QUINTET. Samuel Barber: Summer Music; Gyorgi Ligeti: Six Bagatelles; William Mathias: Quintet; Mark Carlson: Nightwings (tape & woodwind quintet). “Magnificent American group. Superlative playing...a recording which, equally good in tone-quality, balance and clarity, can also be described as superlative." Gramophone Magazine (London) UPC 00941477502-3 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Ligeti Bagatelles: Allegro Rubato Allegro Presto Adagio

CD751: WESTWOOD WIND QUINTET. Ingolf Dahl, Allegro and Arioso; Karel Husa, Serenade for Piano and Wind Quintet; Jerzy Sapieyevski, Arioso for Trumpet and Wind Quintet; Louis Moyse, Quintet. With Lisa Bergman, piano; Richard Pressley, trumpet. "..an accumulation of instrumental polish & important repertory over a long period has resulted in a treasurable sense of ensemble and musical solidity." Los Angeles Times "As usual, the Westwood Wind Quintet plays with spirit, finesse, polish, and magnificent articulation. Very fine recording." Fanfare. UPC 00941477512-2ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Dahl: Allegro and Arioso Husa Serenade: Mvt 1(La Montagne) Mvt 2(La Nuit) Mvt 3(La Danse) Sapieyevski: Arioso

CD752: WESTWOOD WIND QUINTET. Bergsma, Concerto for Wind Quintet; Rochberg, To the Dark Wood; Carter, Woodwind Quintet 1948; Biggs, Scherzo; Plog, Animal Ditties; Schuller, Suite; Schuman, Dances for Woodwind Quintet and Percussion with Matthew Kocmieroski, percussion. "A feast of ...virtuoso music for winds. Performances are excellent." In-Tune Magazine. "A superb performing group; first-rate in every way." Washington D.C. Sunday Star UPC 00941477522-1 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Bergsma Concerto: Mvt 1(Allegro) Mvt 2(Andante) Mvt 3(Allegro assai) Rochberg: To the Dark Wood Carter Quintet: Mvt 1(Allegretto)

CD753: WIND CHAMBER MUSIC OF THEODOR BLUMER: Quintett, Op. 52; Sextett (Originalthema mit Veränderungen), Op. 45; Tanz-Suite, Op. 53. Moran Woodwind Quintet. "I found this disc quite refreshing and enlightening. [Blumer's] lush, late romantic style reminds me of Richard Strauss." American Record Guide. UPC 00941477532-0 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Quintett Op. 52: Mvt 1(Sehr frisch) Mvt 2(Romanze) Mvt 3(Leicht fliebend) Mvt 4(Finale) Sextett: Mvt 1(Thema)

CD754: POSTCARDS FROM THE CENTER.Moran Woodwind Quintet. Katherine Ann Murdock, Postcards from the Center; Bernhard Heiden, Woodwind Quintet; Peter Lieuwen, Savannah; Jennifer Higdon, Autumn Music. The Moran Quintet is in residence at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. UPC 00941477542-9 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer)Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Lieuwen: Savannah Murdock Postcards: Mvt 1(Prairie Sentinal) Mvt 2(Interstate 70) Mvt 3(Kansas Winter) Mvt 4(Punching Cattle)

CD755: WOODWIND MUSIC BY THEODOR BLUMER. Performed by the Moran Woodwind Quintet. Theodor Blumer's Schweizer Quintett; Kinderspielzeug, op. 64; and Sextett, op. 92, with pianist Paul Barnes. Theodor Blumer (1881-1964) writes in a Romantic style. He is a German composer who lived most of his life in Dresden, Leipzig, and Berlin. The music is extremely attractive and recently has drawn much interest to American audiences. UPC 0094147552-8 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

The Moran Woodwind Quintet is in-residence at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music. This is the group's third CD on the Crystal label. "Once again the Moran woodwind Quintet...splendidly brings these substantial works into our ears, with brilliance, effervescence and sophistication.", The Clarinet, June 2005. "The Moran Woodwind Quintet...play Blumer's music with superb attention to phrasing and ensemble finesse. The performances overflow with purposeful expressivity.", Gramophone.

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Schweizer Quintett: Mvt 1 (Prelude) Mvt 2 (Gavotte) Mvt 3 (Arietta) Mvt 4 (Introduktion) Mvt 5 (Thema)
Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3 Variation 4 Variation 5 Variation 6 Variation 7 Kinderspielzeug: Mvt 1 (Ball) Mvt 2 (Teddybar) Mvt 3 (Puppe) Mvt 4 (Aufmarsch der Puppen) Mvt 5 (Alte Spieluhr) Mvt 6 (Schlitten) Sextett: Mvt 1 (Allegro ma no troppo) Mvt 2 (Scherzo: Presto) Mvt 3 (Andante sostenuto) Mvt 4 (Rondo, Molto vivace)

CD756: CAMERATA WOODWIND QUINTET. Jacques Hetú: Quintette, opus 13; Anthony Iannaccone: Woodwind Quintet No. 2, Scenes after Hart Crane; John Steinmetz: Quintet. UPC 00941477562-7 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Stellar new works for woodwind quintet, which may come to be regarded as masterworks for the genre, performed by the Camerata Woodwind Quintet, ensemble-in-residence at Western Illinois University since 1966. The group regularly tours the U.S. and Europe, presenting commissioned works as well as traditional repertoire.

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Hétu: Quintette, opus 13 Mvmt 3 Mvmt 4 Iannaccone: Woodwind Quintet No. 2 The Bridge The Harbor Dawn Atlantis Steinmetz: Quintet Prelude Mvmt 1 Mvmt 3 Mvmt 4 Mvmt 5 Mvmt 6

CD757: THEODOR BLUMER Woodwind Music, Vol. 3. John Bailey, Flute, Mark Clinton, Piano, Moran Woodwind Quintet. Serenade and Theme and Variations, op. 34 for Woodwind Quintet. Ten Waltzes (Hausmusik), op. 56 for Flute and Piano. From the Animal Kingdom, op. 57a for Flute and Piano. From the Plant World, op. 57b for Flute and Piano. UPC 00941477572-4 ORDER NOW Click here for cover photo and details

Theodor Blumer (1881-1964) was director and principal conductor of the Dresden Radio Orchestra and the Middle German Radio Orchestra in Leipzig. “Blumer’s lush, late-romantic style reminds me of
Richard Strauss. [His music] is refreshing and enlightening.” American Radio Guide

Cassettes:

C250: WESTWOOD WIND QUINTET. August Klughardt: Quintet; Luciano Berio: Opus No. Zoo; William Mathias: Quintet. "Highly recommended", San Francisco Examiner. 009414725042 Cassette ORDER NOW

C253: SONI VENTORUM WIND QUINTET. Woodwind Quintets by Paul Taffanel, Jean Martinon, Claude Arrieu. 009414725349 Cassette ORDER NOW