This recording was made live in concert with the musicians positioned around the microphones, a rare setup chosen for its richer and more lively sound.
Composition History
Mozart's Quintet in C minor, K. 406, is a transcription of his Serenade K.388 for eight wind instruments, accomplished fifteen years after the original work.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mozart rarely composed in C minor, but this key is found in his greatest works and was associated with the 'tomb' during the Baroque era.
Composition History
Mozart was at the forefront of creating the string quintet genre with two violas, with his first such quintet (K. 174) dating from 1773.
Interpretation
The Ensemble Fratres' interpretation on this album is based on a study by Philippe Borer detailing a specific, now-disappeared bowing tradition from the G.B. Viotti violin school.
Instruments
The five bows used for this recording, including one for an underhand cello grip, were custom-made by Luc Breton to facilitate the specific bowing techniques employed.
Interpretation
The 'grand détaché porté' bowing technique, central to this interpretation, emphasizes allowing the string to vibrate freely after being attacked by the bow.
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