The frustration of those who seek to identify Boccherini's works by their opus numbers may end in their being taken into care by sympathetic men in white coats. The first three of the six string sextets listed in his own catalogue as Op 25 were first published as Op 36, No 4, as Op 47 No 9, and No 6 as Op 47 No 5. The six of his Op 11, from the Fifth of which the 'amputated' and very famous Minuet is taken, appeared as Op 13 and his own Op 13 became Op 20.
Thank goodness for Gérard, here also the annotator, by whom be guided when in any doubt! Given that Boccherini wrote 100 string quintets it isn't surprising that none of the three from Op 25 on this disc has any other listed recording. These three quintets serve as a persuasive introduction to his music, full of melodic invention, harmony that knows when and for how long to remain static or flowing, or ready to spring surprises, great variety of form, and a kaleidoscope of sounds that could have been imagined only by an accomplished and venturesome virtuoso – which Boccherini was of the cello.
If the music itself is persuasive it becomes irresistible in these performances on period instruments (or copies thereof) at slightly lower pitch than today's standard, wielded by players of the highest calibre and sensitivity. The Font family quartet with whom Boccherini played at the Madrid court of Don Luis must have revelled in these quintets; in these recordings we come as close to sharing that experience as it's possible to get. An absolute must.

Totally irresistible… This marvellous disc is an absolute must.