Bohemian composer Anton Rössler (ca. 1750-1792) had changed his name to the Italian form, Antonio Rosetti, by the time he was engaged as court musician by Prince von Oettingen-Wallerstein in 1773. In the Prince's employment, he wrote about a dozen partitas for wind ensemble, four of which are recorded here, three for the first time. During his lifetime, Rosetti was considered a peer of
Mozart's, but he is little known today apart from his lively and idiomatic horn concertos. These partitas may not elevate him to
Mozart's status, but they are attractive, inventive works with real character that reveal a strong compositional personality, and they should be a welcome addition to relatively scarce repertoire for wind ensemble. All the pieces bristle with energy and insolence, but the Partita in D major is particularly effervescent. The period instrument octet
Amphion Wind Ensemble plays with obvious relish and with a full awareness of the composer's tart humor. Although it plays original instruments or copies, the musicians achieve the technical polish and excellent intonation usually associated with modern instruments. Pan's sound is bright and present.