Although near the end of his life Boccherini was living pretty wretchedly in Madrid–his music no longer in fashion, his fortunes gone–he still managed to write some pretty respectable music. These quintets (two of 12, only eight of which are extant), adapted from earlier chamber works, were written on commission and supposedly (according to historians) without much enthusiasm. However, despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding their birth, both quintets are appealing morsels–savory and flavorful creations that are more than a little impressive as played with the finesse of José Miguel Moreno and La Real Cámara. The E minor quintet is the more Italianate work, while the D major has clear Spanish influences.
In putting together this program, Moreno and his violinist brother Emilio are duplicating a recording that the Spanish label Zafiro made of this same repertoire featuring José and Emilio’s father (a violinist also named Emilio), his Cuarteto Clásico, and Narciso Yepes. These musicians’ sentimental journey is our gain, as their wholly idiomatic yet highly refined performances make this the clear standard bearer for these works. Note, though, that their interpretation of the D major’s closing Fandango is entirely idiosyncratic, with the addition of a tiple treble guitar and castanets that punctuate the entire movement (instead of the few brief measures that the score calls for). A transgressive treatment, yes, but a delightful one nonetheless. The sound is very well balanced, focused, and clean.
