* En anglais uniquement
The Italian period wind ensemble
Zefiro has helped shape historically informed practices in its performances of Baroque and Classical music. Formed in 1989 by oboists Alfredo Bernadini and
Paolo Grazzi with bassoonist
Alberto Grazzi, the group has focused on music for wind instruments of the 17th and 18th centuries, a repertoire that features works by
Bach,
Handel, Zelenka,
Telemann,
Haydn, and
Mozart. Named after the benign Greek god of the western wind,
Zefiro has performed across Europe in concerts and festivals, and the group has toured internationally. Its discography on Astrée, Ambroisie, Naïve, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, and Arcana is extensive, ranging from recordings of Zelenka's trio sonatas to music with orchestra, including
Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and Orchestral Suites,
Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks,
Vivaldi's wind concertos, and
Mozart's Divertimenti, among other works that call for augmented forces.
Zefiro has also promoted the music of neglected composers Georg Druschetzky and Luigi Gatti, which were released by Ambroisie on two albums.