Antonín Reicha was a friend of Beethoven, a respected teacher and one of the most highly regarded musical figures of the early 19th century. His compositions include many operas, symphonies, concertos, large-scale choral works and a vast collection of chamber music. The twenty-five wind quintets won him immediate acclaim, despite being unusual not only in their combination of instruments but the prominence given to each soloist in turn. They possess an abundance of melodic invention, with tonal colours skilfully and evocatively explored.