The Ma'alot Quintet is a leading chamber music ensemble that won first prizes in four international chamber music competitions, including the renowned ARD Munich Competition in 1989.
Interpretation
The arrangements on this album aim to create a new and unusual listening experience, highlighting interesting details and presenting the music in different timbres.
Historical Context
In Mozart's time, it was common to arrange opera music for 'wind harmony' (Harmoniemusiken) to make it accessible to a wider audience and ensure its success.
Compositional Technique
The Quintet for Piano and Winds, K. 452, was considered by Mozart himself to be his best work to date.
Performer Biography
Markus Becker, the pianist on this album, is known for his interpretations of piano literature from Bach to Rihm and is also a virtuoso jazz improviser.
Performer Biography
Markus Becker has won the ECHO-Klassik award three times and the German Critics Choice Award for his CD recordings.
Performer Biography
Ulf-Guido Schäfer, the clarinetist of the Ma'alot Quintet, created the unique arrangements for the quintet featured on this album and other recordings.
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