für zwei Hörner zwei Violinen Viola und Bass-It is hardly surprising that Beethoven did not write any more chamber music for winds after 1800. Following the change to middle-class musical culture demand declined for buoyant serenades and divertimenti intended for courtcircles a genre that Beethoven had reservations about as it was. Composed in 1795 with no known occasion in mind his Sextet op. 81b is thus all the more remarkable standing out on account of the unusual virtuosity of the hornparts. This edition is the first to provide the bass part as originally intended by Beethoven: for violoncello supported by a double bass. In addition to the original horn parts in E flat it also contains transposed parts in F.

Quintet for Wind Instruments E flat major op. 88 2-Reicha published a total of 24 wind quintets for the ?classical? scoring of flute oboe clarinet horn and bassoon; op. 88 no. 2 is one of the best-loved and most played. ?If it were possible to surpass Haydn in the compositionof quartets and quintets Reicha would have succeeded with these quintets? thus raved the ?Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung? on a performance of Reicha?s quintets ?it seems to me that it is impossible to unite more correctnessand clarity with more inventiveness and originality.? This work exudes inspiration and spirit from every note. In addition to the parts we have also produced a handy study edition of the score.