The Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet

Discography

This discography lists commercial recordings by the Soni Ventorum Quintet.
Some of the compositions are available for download.
This list does not include solo recordings made by
individual members of the group.

1. Lyrichord LLST 7168 - recorded 1963
Mozart: Adagio and Allegro in F minor for Mechanical Organ, K. 594, arr. Meyer
Mozart: Fantasy in F minor for Mechanical Organ, K. 608, arr. Meyer
Mozart: Andante in F major for Mechanical Organ, K. 616, arr. Meyer
Villa-Lobos: Quintette en Forme de Chôros
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; James Caldwell, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; Arthur Grossman, bassoon and Robert Bonnevie, Horn
This recording was first released in a limited edition of 500 copies on the Phoenix label - PH2001. In the UK it
was released on the Oryx label
.
Reviews: The New Records, March 1965; Audio, April 1965
Now reissued by Lyrichord as digitally remastered mp3 downloads. These Mozart works, combined with the entire contents of LP No. 3 are offered as a single album, LYR 6018. order album This Villa-Lobos work in combination with the entire contents of LP No. 4 is offered as album LYR 6024 order album Skowronek's excellent program notes are available as free PDF downloads.

No. 1➛pictureClick on images to enlarge.

2. Desto 6401 - recorded 1964, "A Festival of Winds" (featuring the Soni Ventorum Quintet
and the New York Brass Quintet)
Morris: Five Esoteric Pieces for Wind Quintet
Hamerik: Quintet
(plus pieces by McGrath, Hovhaness, and Jones performed by the New York Brass Quintet)
Performers: as above
No. 2➛
lp photo

3. Lyrichord LLST 7143 - recorded 1964, "Music for the Musical Clock"
Beethoven: Five Pieces for the Musical Clock, arr. Skowronek
Haydn: Fourteen Pieces for the Musical Clock, arr. Skowronek
Performers: as above
Reviews: The New Records, July 1965; High Fidelity, November 1965; The Grammophone, May 1967; The Monthly Letter from E.M.G., April 1967; Records and Recordings, September 1967
Now reissued by Lyrichord as a digitally remastered mp3 download. The contents of this LP, combined with the Mozart works in LP No. 1, are offered as a single album, LYR 6018. order album Skowronek's excellent program notes are available as a free PDF download.
No. 3➛
lp photo

4. Lyrichord LLST 7158 - recorded 1965
Goodman: Quintet for Wind Instruments
Piston: Three Pieces for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon
Krenek: Pentagram for Winds
Performers: as above
Reviews: This recording was named one of the Year's Best Recordings in Saturday Review, November, 1966;
also reviewed in High Fidelity, October 1966
Now reissued by Lyrichord as a digitally remastered mp3 download. The contents of this LP, combined with the Villa-Lobos work in LP No. 1, are offered as a single album, LYR 6024. order album Skowronek's excellent program notes are available as a free PDF download.
No. 4➛picture

5. Decca DL71065 - recorded 1968, "Electro-Vibrations: the Music of John Eaton"
Eaton: Vibrations - Concert Piece for Woodwinds
(plus other microtonal music by Eaton. Legend has it that when the C.E.O. of Decca chanced to hear this record he shouted, "That's it - no more classical music!" The ban is said to have lasted for years.)
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe (tuned down one quarter tone); Ann Ferguson, oboe; William McColl, clarinet (tuned down one quarter tone); Michael Davenport, clarinet; William O. Smith, conductor
Reviews: This recording was named one of the Year's Best Recordings in Saturday Review, November, 1970;
also reviewed in The New Records, November, 1969
No. 5➛LP photo

6. Lyrichord LLST7216 - recorded 1969
Reicha: Quintet in E minor, op. 100, no. 4
Danzi: Quintet in F major, op. 56, no 3
Performers: Felix skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; Christopher Leuba, horn;
Arthur Grossman, bassoon
Review: The New Records, May 1970
Now reissued by Lyrichord as a digitally remastered mp3 download, LYR 6020.
order album Skowronek's excellent program notes are available as a free PDF download.

No. 6➛picture

7. Ravenna RAVE701 - recorded 1970, "Trois Quintetti Concertans"
Cambini: Quintet no. 1 in Bb major
Cambini: Quintet no. 2 in D minor
Cambini: Quintet no. 3 in F major
Performers: as above
Reviews: High Fidelity and Musical America, August 1972; The New Records, July 1973

No. 7picture

8. Musical Heritage Society MHS3247 - recorded 1971
Reicha: Quintet in E minor, op. 88, no. 1
1. Andante - Allegro ma non tanto  download mp3
2. Andante poco allegretto
download mp3 3. Menuetto: Allegro vivo download mp3
4. Finale: Allegro
download mp3

Reicha: Quintet in G major, op. 88, no. 3
1. Lento - Allegro assai
download mp3 2. Andante download mp3
3. Menuetto: Allegro vivo
download mp3 4. Finale: Allegro vivace download mp3
Performers: as above
No. 8➛picture

9. Ravenna RAVE702 - recorded 1972, "Soni Ventorum Plays Villa-Lobos"
Villa-Lobos: Chôros no. 2 for Flute and Clarinet
Villa-Lobos: Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
Villa Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6 for Flute and Bassoon (1938)
(Available on the Archive page)

Villa-Lobos:
Quartet (1928) for Flute, Oboe , Clarinet and Bassoon
(Available on the Archive page)

Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; Arthur Grossman, bassoon
Reissued in 1974 by the Musical Heritage Society MHS1875Y
Reviews: This recording was noted as a Recording of Special Merit by Stereo Review, May 1973; also reviewed in High Fidelity and Musical America, May 1973; Stereo Review, May 1973
No. 9picture

10. Musical Heritage Society MHS3187 - recorded 1972, "Soni Ventorum Plays Poulenc and Villa-Lobos"
Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon
(Available on the Archive page)
Poulenc: Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano
(Available on the Archive page)
Villa-Lobos: Duo for Oboe and Bassoon
(Available on the Archive page)
Villa-Lobos: Fantaisie Concertante for Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano
(Available on the Archive page)
Also released as a reel-to-reel 7.5 IPS 4-track tape by Barclay-Crocker, MHS C3187
Performers: Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; Arthur Grossman, bassoon; Randolph Hokanson, piano
No.10➛picture

11. Musical Heritage Society MHS3248 - recorded 1972
Reicha: Quintet in D minor, op. 88 no. 4
1. Larghetto - Allegro assai
download mp3 2. Andante download mp3
3. Menuetto: Allegro
download mp3 4. Finale: Allegro download mp3
Reicha: Quintet in C minor, op. 91 no. 6
1.Marcia: Poco allegro - Allegro vivace  download mp3 2. Larghetto  download mp3
3. Menuetto: Vivace  download mp3 4. Finale: Capriccio, Allegro assai
download mp3
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; Christopher Leuba, horn;
Arthur Grossman, bassoon
No. 11➛picture

12. Crystal S251 - recorded 1975
Danzi: Quintet in F major, op. 68 no. 2
Danzi: Quintet in D minor, op. 68 no. 3
Performers: as above
Reviewed: The New Records, June 1976
This recording has now been re-released (2011) by Crystal Records in CD format (CD251) and includes the Taffanel quintet from LP No. 14, below  order CD
No. 12➛
lp photo

13. Crystal S351 - recorded 1975, "Winds from the Northwest"
Bozza: Sonatine for Flute and Bassoon
Aitken Montages for Solo Bassoon
Goodman: Jadis III (Hommage à "La Sérénade Interrompue") for Flute and Bassoon
Smith: Straws for Flute and Bassoon
Gerster: Bird in the Spirit for Solo Flute
Gabaye: Sonatine for Flute and Bassoon
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Arthur Grossman, bassoon
Reviewed: The New Records, June 1976
No. 13➛
lp photo

14. Crystal S253 - recorded 1977
Taffanel: Wind Quintet in G minor
Martinon: Doménon, op. 21 for Wind Quintet
Arrieu: Quintet in C major
Performers: as in recording no. 11
Reviewed: The New Records, September 1978; Fanfare, January/February 1979;
Consumers' Research Magazine, January 1979
The Taffanel quintet from this recording has now been re-released (2011) in CD format (CD251) and includes the Danzi quintets from LP No. 12, above  order CD
No. 14➛lp photo

15. Crystal S254 - recorded 1978
Françaix: Sept Impromptus for Flute and Bassoon
Arrieu: Suite in Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
Ketting: Trio for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon
Gerster: Cantata for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
Performers: as in recording no. 9
Reviewed: The Clarinet, Winter 1983; The New Records, July 1981; Cosmopolitan (!), June 1981
No. 15➛
lp photo

16. Laurel 113 - recorded 1979, "Music of Charles Harold Bernstein, Vol. IV" (no relation to Leonard Bernstein)
Recording commissioned by the composer.
C. H. Bernstein: Glory of Samothrace for Wind Quintet; Answers and Questions for Solo Flute; Solo for Bassoon; Poem Tones for Bassoon and Cello. (also includes other works by Bernstein performed by other artists)
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; Robert Bonnevie, horn (rejoining the group for this recording); Arthur Grossman, bassoon; Toby Saks, cello
No. 16➛picture

17. Serenus Recorded Editions SRS12097 - recorded 1980, "Music of Joseph Goodman and Joseph Alexander"
Goodman: Five Bagatelles for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon
(plus other compositions by Goodman and Alexander which do not include wind instruments)
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; William McColl, clarinet and Arthur Grossman, bassoon
Reviewed: Fanfare, July/August 1882; The New Records, May 1982
No. 17➛

18. Musical Heritage Society MHS4621 - recorded 1981
Danzi: Quintet in G minor, op.56 no. 2
Danzi: Quintet in G major, op. 67 no. 1
Danzi: Quintet in E minor, op. 67 no. 2
Danzi: Quintet in Bb major, op. 56 no. 1
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn;
Arthur Grossman, bassoon
Reviewed: Fanfare, May/June 1982
No. 18➛lp photo

19. Crystal S257 - recorded 1981, "Music for Woodwinds, Chamber Ensemble and Voice"
Smith: Eternal Truths for Woodwind Quartet
Thome: The Yew Tree
Goodman: Four Songs on Poems by Juan Ramón Jiménez
Performers: the quintet as above plus Montserrat Alavedra, soprano
Reviewed: The Clarinet, Spring 1984; The New Records, February 1984
No. 19➛lp photo

20. Musical Heritage Society MHS4782F - recorded 1981
Barber: Summer Music, op. 31
Carter: Woodwind Quintet
Fine: Partita for Wind Quintet
Goodman: Scherzo for Wind Quintet
Performers: as in recording no. 18
Reviewed: Fanfare, March/April 1984
No. 20➛
lp photo

21. Musical Heritage Society MHS4375 - recorded 1981, "Two Quintets for Piano and Winds"
Mozart: Quintet in Eb major, K. 452 for Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon
Beethoven: Quintet in Eb major, op.16 for Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon
Performers: Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn; Arthur Grossman, bassoon and
Neal O'Doan, Piano
No. 21➛
lp photo

22. Musical Heritage Society MHS7132K - recorded 1982
Nielsen: Wind Quintet, op. 43
Françaix: Wind Quintet no. 1
(This recording was also released in CD format.)
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn;
Arthur Grossman, bassoon
No. 22➛lp photo

23. Musical Heritage Society MHS7456Z - recorded 1982-83, "The Art of the Bassoon"
Farago: Phantasy on a Theme by Paganini, op. 40a
Almanraeder: Potpourri, op. 3
Schibler: Monologue
Andriessen: Concertino for Bassoon and Wind Ensemble
van Praag: Fantasie for Solo Bassoon and Wind Ensemble
Performers: Arthur Grossman, solo Bassoon; Felix Skowronek, Melinda Johnson, flutes;
Laila Storch, Ove Hanson, oboes; William McColl, Mark Wardlaw, clarinets; David Kappy, Roger Burnett, horns;
Beatrice Kaufman, Francine Floyd, bassoons
No. 23➛
lp photo

24. Crystal S258 - recorded 1984
Bergsma: Changes for Seven for Wind Quintet, Piano and Percussion
Goodman: Quartet for Winds
Zaninelli: Burla and Variations for Woodwind Quartet
Etler: Quintet no. 2 for Woodwind Instruments
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn;
Arthur Grossman, bassoon; Randolph Hokanson, piano; Michael Clark, percussion
Reviewed: The New Records, October 1985; Ovation, November 1985; Fanfare, November/December 1985; American Record Guide, January/February 1986
No. 24➛lp photo

25. Musical Heritage Society MHS7364L - recorded 1985, "Six Works for Wind Quintet"
Ibert: Trois Pièces Brèves for Wind Quintet
Hindemith: Kleine Kammermusik, op. 24 no. 2
Milhaud: La Cheminée du Roi René download mp3
Rimski-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumblebee, arr. McColl (Available on the Archive page)l
Fučik: The Old Grumper (Starý Bručoun), novelty polka for Bassoon solo
Blanchet: A Haitian Folk Tale for Wind Quintet and Drum (Available on the Archive page)
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe; William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn; Arthur Grossman, bassoon and Dan Adams, conga drum

No. 25lp photo

26. Musical Heritage Society MHS922024A - recorded 1986
Rossini: Six Quartets for Flute, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon
Quartet No. 1 in F Major: Allegro moderato; Andante; Rondo: Allegro
download mp3
Quartet No. 2 in G Major: Moderato; Andante - Allegro
download mp3
Quartet No. 3 in F Major: Allegro; Andante; Allegro
download mp3
Quartet No. 4 in Bb Major: Allegro vivace; Andante; Rondo: Allegretto
download mp3
Quartet No. 5 in D Major: Allegro spiritoso; Andante assai; Rondo
download mp3
Quartet No. 6 in F Major: Andante - Thema con Variazioni
download mp3
Mayr: Twelve Bagatelles for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon
(This recording was released in a two-LP package.)
Performers: Felix Skowronek. flute; William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn; Arthur Grossman, bassoon
No. 26➛lp photo

The following recordings were released in CD format:

27. Musical Heritage Society 512759Y - recorded 1990, "Soni Ventorum Plays Works by
Jean Françaix and Ronald Roseman"

Françaix: Quatour for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
Françaix: Wind Quintet no. 2 (Available on the Archive page)
Roseman: Quintet (Available on the Archive page)
Performers: as in no. 22

28. Musical Heritage Society 514225K - recorded 1992
Smith: Jazz Set for Wind Quintet and solo violin
Schoenberg: Wind Quintet, op. 26
(Available on the Archive page)
Performers: Felix Skowronek, flute; Laila Storch, oboe (in the Smith Jazz Set); Alex Klein, oboe (in the Schoenberg Quintet); William McColl, clarinet; David Kappy, horn; Arthur Grossman, bassoon;
Aloysia Friedmann, violin solo

Many thanks are owed to Megan Lyden, flutist and historian, whose 336-page book, "The Story of the Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet" is now available for purchase by the public in many formats, including digital. book

 

 

Press Reviews

 

"One rarely hears woodwind quintet precision, ensemble and intonation to match what the Soni Ventorum
produced in the Schoenberg."
New York Times, 1969
 
Read complete review

"Woodwind quintets are rare; those as good as this one
are rarer still."
New York Times, 1963

 Read complete review

"Some of the finest wind-ensemble playing presently available on records...and I never expect to hear woodwind music better played..."
Stereo Review

"Magnificent virtuosos - magnificently recorded"
High Fidelity

"The sound is, I think, the finest I have ever heard from a commercially distributed recording. ...and the performances here are as fine as the sound..."
The Washington Post

"One feels safe to say that these charming works will not be better presented in the foreseeable future."
Fanfare

"Fantastic, absolutely fantastic...a superstar quintet!"
Chicago's American

"crisp and refreshing...deliciously mysterious...pieces that will clear your head, among other abiding pleasures.
Cosmopolitan













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