Mozart · Wind Concertos

This well-filled disc is a testament to the high performance standard reached by the L'Oiseau-Lyre label in the late 1970's and early 1980's especially in works by Mozart. Having already recorded a pioneering period instrument set of the complete symphonies, Christopher Hogwood turned his attention to the wind concertos with predictably delightful results.

The Flute and Harp Concerto is typically one of Mozart's gems and in this lovely interpretation it shines like a diamond in the sun with Lisa Beznosiuk and Frances Kelly's immaculate playing. The Andante is particularly beautiful with the recording in the Henry Wood Hall sounding pretty immaculate more than 20 years later.

The Andante for flute is similarly pensive and ravishing whilst Danny Bond fills the Bassoon Concerto with all the sprightly step and colour that one could indeed hope for. The first Flute Concerto rounds off the disc in exemplary fashion with Beznosiuk again on pretty much top form. A treasure of a disc and at this price, I really would not have any qualms in recommending it as my top choice for the works in question both to the newcomer and to the seasoned enthusiast. -- ClassicalNet