Mozart: Six String Quintets album review – deep understanding of these under-appreciated works

(Alpha)Spunicunifait (their name taken from a nonsense word used by Mozart) perform these six quintets with flexibility and easy athleticismFormed by string players from some of Europe’s leading orchestras and ensembles specifically to give historically informed performances of Mozart’s string quintets, Spunicunifait takes its name from a nonsense word used by Mozart in one of his letters, the meaning of which remains a mystery. “We wanted to make a recording that would approach the quintets with the same reverence that [Mozart’s] quartets receive,” they say, and that approach results in performances of the six works that have transparency, flexibility and easy athleticism. There are the five well-known mature quintets, as well as the early B flat work K174, for which Spuncunifait play two versions of its finale. All are composed for a quintet of strings with two violas (unlike Boccherini’s quintets and Schubert’s famous C major quintet, which employ two cellos).The players – Lorenza Borrani and Maia Cabeza (violin), Max Mandel and Simon Von Rahden (viola) and Luise Buchberger (cello) – use a mix of 18th-century instruments and 21st-century copies; the recorded sound is close and involving. Not all aspects of the group’s approach will be to all tastes: vibrato is very sparingly used, and its absence can often be starkly effective, but the tendency to link notes in phrases with tiny glissandi can sometimes seem a little overdone. These are minor quibbles, though. The performances reveal the group’s musicality and deep understanding of these under-appreciated works in every bar. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Independent

The Golden Bachelor season two: Meet the 23 women — all but one over the age of 60 — who will compete for Mel Owens’ heart

about 1 hour ago

NFL RedZone host announces major change to broadcast hours before season starts

Independent

Comments

Similar News

La Clemenza di Tito review – Emelyanychev and SCO spark magic with enthralling Mozart

Saving Mozart at The Other Palace: 'musical theatre talents squander their voices on this vapid pop-rock work'

Culture

The Golden Bachelor season two: Meet the 23 women — all but one over the age of 60 — who will compete for Mel Owens’ heart

NFL RedZone host announces major change to broadcast hours before season starts

I’m A Celebrity All Stars ‘signs up Olympic legend after saying no to Strictly’

Lady Gaga’s new song The Dead Dance proves TikTok has changed music forever

Experiencing pain? Sanjay Gupta explains why 'It Doesn't Have to Hurt'

“Erupcja” Starts Charli XCX’s Acting Career on a High Note

Annabelle doll handler’s cause of death finally revealed months after ‘haunted’ tour

Wednesday star addresses fans who have ‘read queer undertones’ into Enid relationship

Batman star calls backlash over his role ‘so racist and stupid’

Who is Scooter Braun? The controversial music manager rumoured to be dating Sydney Sweeney

WWE superstar reveals why she hates Rhea Ripley’s racy ‘pretzel’ pin

From Gere to Gaga: The best celebrity looks created by Giorgio Armani

'Task' is a new, compelling crime drama from the creator of 'Mare of Easttown'

A clash of the comebacks: Osaka and Anisimova face off in the U.S. Open semifinals

Honey Don’t! review – a star-studded lesbian trifle that sadly lacks focus

Rosie O’Donnell hits back at Trump with Epstein dig after president threatens to revoke her citizenship

Hugh Bonneville interrupts live TV interview with urgent Gaza plea

Sting’s High Court royalty dispute to return in January

Emerald Fennell's first trailer for Wuthering Heights is here and it looks freaky as hell

The Defector: KGB agent's defection after Soho drink drive arrest changed the shape of the Cold War

The best TV to watch this autumn: from Celebrity Traitors to Slow Horses Season 5

BBC bosses ‘stand by Strictly star accused of cocaine use’ after police probe

SNL alum Jorma Taccone left unable to walk after 20-foot fall from ladder

Hugh Bonneville interrupts live TV interview with urgent Gaza plea: ‘Indefensible’

Steven Soderbergh: ‘I’m cured of wanting to make anything you could label as “important”’

Justin Bieber is already teasing a follow-up to his new album ‘Swag’

Date set: Bluey feature film to be released in cinemas

Benedict Cumberbatch and Louis Theroux join Together for Palestine concert

Bluey movie gets August 2027 release date

‘Triumphant’ biopic on beloved British musician now streaming for free

Star Trek actor left ‘enraged’ about sci-fi show’s first-ever musical episode

In Our Time: Who will replace Melvyn Bragg on the much-loved Radio 4 programme?

Why kids are all posing like this in pictures

We Should Have Never Walked On The Moon at the Southbank Centre review: an irresistible rush of horny vibes

Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand named TikTok song of the summer after Jet2 trend

Lady Gaga in first collaboration with Tim Burton on The Dead Dance video

Suede on Oasis, anti-nostalgia and 'society at breaking point'

Superb TV show that fans couldn’t stop bingeing ‘cancelled after 2 seasons’

Trump shares distorted Rosie O’Donnell photo amid threats to revoke her US citizenship

Lady Gaga issues statement over ‘agonising decision’ to cancel Miami show minutes before start time

Seth Meyers takes Trump’s mockery of his talent as compliment

‘Harrowing’ drama earns record 23-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival

Wuthering Heights fans livid at ’50 Shades of Brontë’ after raunchy trailer drop

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ opens to record 24-minute standing ovation at Venice film festival

Downton Abbey bids farewell with The Grand Finale premiere in London

Channing Tatum’s failed Thor audition left him with invaluable acting advice

Sam Fender’s arena tour gives huge cash boost to UK’s grassroot venues

Downton Abbey producer hints grand finale film may not spell end for franchise

Morrissey puts his business interests in The Smiths up for sale and takes swipe at ex-bandmates

Sam Fender’s tour raised £100,000 to boost grassroots music venues

Madonna biopic still a ‘work in progress’ says lead star

Patrick Hemingway, last surviving child of literary giant Ernest Hemingway, dies at 97

Alex Warren’s hit song Ordinary named the UK’s Official Song of the Summer 2025

Michelle Dockery reveals she is pregnant with first child at Downton premiere

‘The Tinder Predator took thousands from me – here’s how I exposed his lies’

Lady Gaga begs fans’ forgiveness after calling off concert as it was due to start

The Paper review – Tim Key dials up the cringe factor and goes full David Brent in Office US spin-off

From chip paper to clickbait: The Paper’s portrayal of an industry on its knees is painful to watch as a journalist

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman movie in hot water over ‘dangerous’ EpiPen scene

New on Netflix in September, including cult series return after three years