Classical Masters

A Classical masterpiece is one that embodies the characteristics of this extraordinary slice of music’s history. It contains energetic simplicity, beautifully spun melodies, and formal clarity. Anton Reicha’s delightful D major Wind Quintet and Mozart’s last string quartet — his “Prussian” Quartet in F major (performed here by the Escher String Quartet) are two such works. One of the first composers to write for string quartet, Reicha mastered the form and in this D major quartet he captures the classical style filling this piece with lightness and grace. Mozart’s F major String Quartet is the culmination of all the contributions he made to the genre of string quartet.