The two oboe quintets
on this disc are billed as world première
recordings. They were published in 1812
but both were written considerably earlier
and initially appeared as flute quintets.
In those days, the reputation of the
Moravian composer and violinist František
Kramář
(aka, in Germanised form, as Franz Krommer)
vied with Haydn, particularly as a composer
of string quartets, of which he wrote
about eighty. He also wrote symphonies
of which thirteen have survived. Having
moved around central Europe quite frequently,
Krommer eventually made it as
a court composer in Vienna. Two hundred
years on and it is almost exclusively
his wind music that has stood the test
of time, at least in terms of recordings.
There is no doubt that this music deserves
to although one is left wondering what
happened to the rest of his output.
Krommer’s fertile imagination
is certainly well-demonstrated on this
disc in forms that broke no conventions
of the time. The oboe parts are consistently
grateful and the strings all get their
chance to shine. The quintets are considerably
bigger concepts than the quartets –
in four movements rather than three
and about twice the length. It is notable
that the additional instrument for these
works is a viola rather violin (i.e.
this is not for oboe and standard string
quartet).
The quartets are light
in vein with touches of humour. They
seemed to have been lost but were rediscovered
in a Moravian castle in the 1950s and
first published in 1959. The F major
quartet has a central minuet rather
than a slow movement and is a particular
delight.
Sarah Francis is a
long-established British oboist with
an extensive discography. Her playing
here is mellifluous and quite wonderful
in every way. The Tagore String Trio
was established in 1996 and their playing
is also excellent, with obvious rapport
between all the players. The recorded
sound is bright and well-balanced, and
this issue is as well-documented as
some full-price releases.
Although Regis seems
to specialise in budget re-issues, this
is a new recording issued at their normal
price. This music is well worth getting
to know and fine musicianship is on
offer - quite a bargain.
Patrick C Waller
Sarah Francis (oboe), Tagore String Trio
(Frances Mason, Brian Schiele, James Halsey),
with Jonathan Barritt* (viola) 
