Divertimenti, op.16 (volume 1)

Album review

Originally recorded in 2001 in Austria, this album was re-released in 2011 by the Accent label. Perhaps it was reissued to compete with a variety of other recordings of Luigi Boccherini's chamber music that appeared around the same time. The good news is that a number of performers are getting the hang of performing Boccherini's music and exploring his still little-known oeuvre beyond the ubiquitous cello quintets. Few, however, have done better than this outing by the Piccolo Concerto Wien, and buyers will no doubt be pleased to hear that another release, featuring the rest of the Op. 16 set of divertimenti, is planned. These works are for the odd combination of flute, two violins, viola, two cellos, and the ambiguous "basso ripieno," here convincingly argued to be a double bass. They may have been performed as flute concertos, but they're surely much better in this version with its plethora of brilliant and unusual technical effects. Hear the variation set that forms the culmination of the Divertimento No. 2, with the violins playing on the bridge as the flute whirls furiously and creates a quasi-orchestral sound with just a few instruments. The flute part is technically difficult, with the "Gara" (race) finale of the Divertimento No. 5 (track 11) a special standout. Although titled divertimenti, these are really flute sextets, with three or four substantial movements, not the larger number of light pieces of the Haydn divertimento or even some of Mozart's early works; the two large movements of the Divertimento No. 2, while still cheerful and festive in Boccherini's usual way, are remarkable for their sizable dimensions and leisurely yet kaleidoscopic feel. The Piccolo Concerto Wien, a quite international group playing authentic instruments, achieves a vivid representation of Boccherini's highly sensuous style. Highly recommended.
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