Beethoven: Serenade in D major for Flute, Violin and Viola, Op. 25

Beethoven was most distressed when he discovered that of all his recent compositions, it was his Septet that was gaining greatest favour by Viennese audiences. He considered it somewhat unworthy of himself! Yet, the music continues to endure and this marvellous recording is now coupled on CD with the more intimate Serenade as well as Schumann's Adagio and Allegro for horn and piano. All recordings are released internationally on CD for the first time.

"(Septet) ...if it is to be attacked with seemingly youthful vigour, then clearly the Melos Ensemble are the players willing and able to do it..." Gramophone.

Ensemble 360 was formed in 2005 to take up residency in South Yorkshire with Music in the Round, succeeding The Lindsays who retired as a quartet in July 2005. The ensemble brings together musicians from across the globe to form one versatile ensemble of eleven musicians; five wind players, a pianist, double bassist and the Elias String Quartet. Their home performance space is the Crucible Studio in Sheffield – a 400 seat intimate venue with an extremely special atmosphere. Ensemble 360 believes in its concerts being informal, friendly and relaxed occasions and, although the musicians perform in many traditional chamber music venues they perform ‘in the round’ wherever possible. It is from this ‘in the round’ format that they take their name, Ensemble 360.

A stunning disc of Beethoven’s woodwind trios excellently performed by members of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, regrouping here as the Oslo Phil’s Chamber Group.

In celebration of the 75th birthday of Paul Meisen, MDG is releasing a retrospective of this remarkable flautist and internationally renowned music teacher.