Mozart - Gran Partita

The Guardian 100

LSO Wind Ensemble
(LSO Live)

Mozart’s glorious Serenade No 10 for wind, the “Gran Partita”, is not so easy to programme: it lasts nearly 50 minutes, is in seven movements and requires 13 players. So finding a rewarding performance on disc is all the more vital. This debut CD from the LSO Wind Ensemble, recorded live at LSO St Luke’s in 2015, does the trick, with style and vigour. With principals such as Olivier Stankiewicz (oboe), Andrew Marriner (clarinet) and Tim Jones (horns) and expert playing from all, the celebrated Adagio shines (I had to play it again immediately), the long set of variations passes in a flash and the Molto allegro finale shows off the group’s virtuosity.