Born in Prague in 1770, Antoine Reicha ran away from home at the age of eleven and was adopted by his uncle, who taught him to play the violin, piano and flute. А prolific composer and highly regarded teacher, Reicha was appointed professor in composition at the Conservatoire in 1818. His catalogue of compositions includes many operas, symphonies, concertos, large-scale choral works and a vast collection of chamber music. The wind quintets, always regarded among his finest scores, possess an abundance of melodic invention, the tonal colours skilfully and charmingly explored.