Mozart: Piano Quintet, K. 452 / Beethoven: Piano Quintet, Op. 16

"The finale has plenty of spirit"
- Penguin Guide

"Excellently recorded"
- Penguin Guide

"sparkling performances"
- Birmingham Evening Mail

Beethoven's E flat major Quintet for piano, oboe, clarinet, French horn and bassoon, was written in 1796 and dedicated to Prince Joseph von Schwarzenberg. It was first performed at a concert organized by the violinist Schuppanzigh on 6th April, 1797, and again the following year in the presence of the Emperor at a concert organized by Salieri in aid of Widows and Orphans. The quintet was published in 1801. Ferdinand Ries has lelt an account of a later performance in which the former Mannheimoboist, recipient of an oboe concerto from Mozart, Friedrich Ramm, took part. To his annoyance and that of the other wind- players, Beethoven chose to improvise extensively during the last movement. The quintet formed part of the Beethoven programme chosen by Schuppanzigh for his farewell concert in Vienna in 1816, before his departure for Russia. The pianist on this occasion was Czerny, who added his own embellishments to his part, causing Beethoven to upbraid him, and, characteristically, to send the next day a letter of apology for his behaviour.