Mozart's Serenade No. 10 in Bb, K.361, for 12 Winds and Double Bass, is a masterpiece in every respect. It is one of his longest instrumental works and is a musical blockbuster. It is written for 2
oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 basset horns, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, and double bass. The Toronto Chamber winds include members of the Toronto Symphony, the Canadian Ballet Orchestra, and the Hamilton
Philharmonic. Oboes: Harry Sargous, David Sussman; Clarinets: James Campbell, Gwillym Williams; Basset Horns: David Bourque, Daniel Leeson; Bassoons: Christopher Weait, Mitchell Clarke; Horns: R. Scott Wilson, Miles Hearn, Wayne Jeffrey, Gary Pattison; Double Bass: Peter Madgett.
Serenade K. 361, Over 49 minutes, consists of seven movements of extraordinary contrast, requiring unusual instrumental resources whose characteristic colors were exploited as never before and rarely
since. This performance by the Toronto Chamber Winds is one of the only recorded performances that adheres to the original Mozart manuscript. There are many differences between this and the corrupted
versions that are usually heard and have been recorded previously.
This recording was originally on Crystal LP S646, released 1982, and was the first recording of the work under the guidance of Daniel Leeson, who was one of the editors of the Serenade for the Bärenreiter publication of the complete edition of Mozart’s music. The performance is embellished in a style appropriate to the time of composition.
“This recording represents the best in North American wind performance.” The Horn Call (Chris Leuba)
“interpretation by the Toronto Chamber Winds of this masterpiece is exemplary…lively, refined, and spiritual…remarkable virtuosity and an irreproachable musicality.” Sonances (Jacques Boulay)