The Zurich Wind Octet

Swiss Classical Chamber Ensemble

"Le Gran Partita" (The Zurich Wind Octet) was founded in 1975; beyond playing well-known works, its members wanted to rediscover and perform undeservedly neglected music. The fact that many of the works for this formation are rarely performed in public shows that this ensemble fills a long-felt gap. The Zurich Wind Octet rehearsed intensively and at length before its first public appearance. Not only the 'broad lines', but every detail was given full attention, and this turned the group into a genuine ensemble, both in artistic and human terms. Then as now we work to our own rules, without a 'leader', and the various functions allot themselves." (Quote from one of their releases.) Members in 1992: Michael Kühn - oboe Hans-Martin Ulbrich - oboe Rolf Gmür - clarinet Kurt Hotz - clarinet Günther Schlund - horn Erich Fink - honr Manfred Sax - bassoon Florenz Jenny - bassoon