Mozart (Quintet, K.406 (Serenade) ◆ Fantasy, K.608 / Andante K.616 ◆ Adagio and Allegro K.594

The Ensemble Wien-Berlin, a wind quintet comprised of principal players from the Vienna Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic, recorded this selection of Mozart's works in 1985 for the CBS Masterworks label. This release was part of a broader push by major labels in the mid-1980s to showcase chamber music through the then-nascent digital recording technology, aiming to capture the precise textures of wind instrumentation with newfound clarity and dynamic range.

The repertoire featured on this disc focuses on pieces originally composed for mechanical organs or string arrangements, including the C minor Quintet, K. 406. By adapting these works for the wind quintet format, the ensemble sought to highlight the distinct timbral qualities of the horn, flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. Upon its release, the recording was noted by critics for its technical polish and the high caliber of its individual performers, cementing the group's reputation as a premier chamber ensemble in the classical music world.