Wooden Nuances

A reed quintet – five woodwind instruments – is an ensemble with a cohesive sound and an unusual character. Although the reed quintet as a distinct concert formation only took shape in the second half of the 20th century, and pieces written specifically for this lineup appeared surprisingly late, its sonic possibilities existed much earlier. After all, it could have come into being even in Karłowicz’s time. The saxophone, one of the pillars of  Reedbeat’s current sound, was already invented in 1842.

The ensemble draws from orchestral and chamber repertoire, crafting original arrangements. Karłowicz’s Serenade Op. 2, in their version, gains a new quality – the lyricism of the string parts is translated into the singing quality of the reeds, and the melodicism remains vivid and expressive.

In the Concerto for string orchestra by Grażyna Bacewicz – arranged by Michał Leśniak – the quintet’s sound takes on weight and depth. The bass clarinet and bassoon assume the role of low instruments, emphasizing the architectural structure of the work. The arrangement not only preserves the piece’s dynamic dramaturgy but also highlights tone color nuances unavailable to strings.

The program also includes the Suite in Old Style Colas Breugnon by Tadeusz Baird – close in spirit to Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite, which Reedbeat loves. Both works share lightness, dance-like rhythm, and a clear inspiration from the French aesthetic – an idiom particularly well-suited to wind instruments.

The concert concludes with Triptyque by Aleksander Tansman – a piece with a clear form and lively character. The final Vivo movement becomes a space full of rhythmic energy, tying the entire program into a logical yet surprising whole.

This is an evening where music known from orchestras and chamber scores will sound anew. In five voices, from one family of instruments – and with a fresh idea.

Reedbeat Quintet – promotional video: