CD252. Three Woodwind Quintets by Johann Peter Müller, performed by the RICHARDS WIND QUINTET. The Richards Quintet was in-residence at Michigan State University. The recording was made in 1976 and digitally remastered for CD in 2020. Performers are Israel Borouchoff, flute; Daniel Stolper, oboe; Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, clarinet; Edgar Kirk, bassoon; Douglas Campbell, horn.

Dan Stolper was oboe editor of the International Double Reed Society Journal since its beginning in 1972 and was teacher at the Interlochen Center for the Arts for 45 years. He just died in 2020.

Peter Müller (as he was known) was born in Germany in 1791 and died in 1877. Though he lived in the Romantic era, these pieces are delightfully classical in nature.

"The music itself is certainly worthy of attention...exuding many of the qualities one might want or expect of a German composer coming to maturity at the heights of Beethoven's career. Each quintet has its charms, but the standard of music is raised immensely by the gorgeous slow movements. Müller's slow movements could perhaps disguise themselves easily amidst a playlist of Beethoven's slow movements...Beethoven never wrote for woodwind quintet. The slow movements also provide ample displays of the performers gorgeous playing qualities."

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