Ensemble Zefiro, a period instrument group, give careful, attentive readings of Mozart’s two big octet serenades. In each case the opening movement is rather deliberate but very exactly judged in terms of dynamics and accentuation, and collectively very efficiently and precisely executed. The remaining movements are taken quite quickly, especially the minuets (the second of K375 seems unduly so and the trio is done much more slowly; while the canonic one in K388 is a little lightweight).

Ensemble Zefiro was founded in 1989 by oboists Alfredo Bernardini and Paolo Grazzi together with bassoonist Alberto Grazzi and consists of talented musicians drawn from leading Baroque orchestras. Zefiro regularly appears to great acclaim at major European, Asian and South American festivals.

Sometimes you just want to relax. Here is one of my favorite ways. These Divertimenti by Mozart weren't even written for listening; they served as background music for dinners and social events. But Mozart couldn't write empty music, and as undemanding as these pieces are, there is always something to reward your attention in every measure. This sextet of period instrument wind players has exactly the right touch for the music. They play with alertness to every detail and relaxation in expression. The result is one of the most delightful, blissfully undemanding CDs in the catalog.