Albert Schweizer Oktett - Mysliveček: Three Wind Octets (1995)

Myslivecek (1737-1781) was a Bohemian contemporary of Haydn. Some radio broadcasters have latched onto his music, and in fact it's ideal for radio, light, melodious, entertaining, and undemanding. Haydn's octet, although the work of a better composer, aims at the same entertainment level and, of course, reaches it unerringly. This ensemble is an expanded version of the Albert Schweitzer Quintet, which put us forever in its debt with its complete recordings for this label of Reicha's Wind Quintets. This music isn't as valuable, but the ensemble's playing is just as good. A lovely disc for a lazy day. --Leslie Gerber