The three flute quintets on this recording are part of a group of six found in Madrid's Royal Palace archives, confirmed as Boccherini's by Yves Gérard's monumental catalog.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Boccherini viewed his catalog as a spiritual testament, including only chamber works, symphonies, and three sacred vocal works, portraying himself as a fervent instrumental composer and Catholic.
Composer Biography
Luigi Boccherini, a great cello soloist at the beginning of his career, later became one of the most famous composers of his time.
Critical Reception
Musicologist Ernst Ludwig Gerber, in 1790, compared Boccherini's mastery of harmony and modulation to Haydn, stating, "We Germans have only Haydn who can compare to this Italian."
Cultural Impact
After his death, Boccherini was almost completely forgotten, only re-emerging from obscurity in the 1970s to regain his central place in music history.
Performer Biography
The Quintetto Tourte, the ensemble performing on this album, was formed in 1991 by instrumentalists already active internationally as soloists or in various chamber and orchestral ensembles.
Compositional Technique
The flute quintets on this album are "grand works" in three movements, featuring a high degree of 'concertante' where each instrument takes a prominent role, similar to miniature symphonies concertantes.
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