Not Just a Famous Tune

The period instrument band Europa Galante under Fabio Biondi playing String Quintets by Boccherini. Boccherini was a contemporary of Haydn and Mozart but the most prolific part of his working life was spent in the court of the Infante Don Luis in Spain. His position at court was similar to that of Haydn with the Esterhazy court but he was not under so much pressure to compose in any particular style and to any particular order. The quintet line up here is of two violins, two cellos and viola and was governed by resources available at the time and the music is elegant chamber music recognisable as coming from the classical period. Don Luis sent copies to Frederick William II of Prussia who was an enthusiastic cellist, so Boccherini's work was known outside Spain. The cd concludes with a performance of Boccherini's famous minuet. If you don't think you know the tune.....you do ! For a long time it seemed the general view was that the minuet amounted to Boccherini's entire output. Good to see that situation being rectified. Europa Galante are always committed and lively performers with a biting edge that ensures the music here never becomes saccharine.