Search - Paul Hindemith, Ensemble Villa Musica, Kalle Randalu :: Hindemith: Heckelphone Trio, Op. 47, Clarinet Quartet, Sonata for 4 Horns

Villa Musica must be quite a large ensemble, as only pianist Kalle Randalu appears in more than one of these items. The Quartet, a rarity on LP, is almost turning into a greatest hit on CD. It's the best piece on this disc, and it gets a marvelous performance, clear and full of impulse. The Trio with the heckelphone, an odd double-reed instrument which gained as little popularity as Schubert's arpeggione, isn't a masterpiece, but the performance really swings and holds your attention. EVM's four horn players have great tonal suavity, but they don't kick this piece along the way others have. Still, an entertaining and varied disc. --Leslie Gerber