JOHANN GEORG HEINRICH BACKOFEN (1768-1839): Quintet in F for Basset Horn and Strings, Op. 9, Clarinet Quintet in B Flat, Op. 15, WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791): Quintet in A for Basset Clarinet and Strings, K 581.

Description: Are there any basset horn fans out there? Well, this one's for you. Backofen's 1801 quintet is performed on a copy of a c.1800 Viennese instrument while the basset clarinet used in Mozart's quartet will demonstrate to better-trained ears than mine, the subtle but important differences between the two instruments (this is played on a modern reconstruction of Anton Stadler's clarinet based on the latter drawings of his instrument made during a Baltic tour in 1793-94). Jane Booth (clarinets, basset horn), Eybler Quartet, Max Mandel (second viola).