The Crowther Wind Quintet formed in 1992 and gave tehir debut concert at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury, where a newly commissioned work by Italian composer Dario Marianelli, was given its first performance.
Since 1993 the CWQ have performed a "Canterbury Series" every year with the current 1999 concerts programmed to celebrate Poulenc's centenary year. Since their formation CWQ have performed for numerous music clubs and have given two enthusiastically received performances in the London Barbican Foyer Concert Series.
During their 1997 Canterbury Festival Concert, the CWQ gave a premiere of a piece composed for them by Derek Bell of 'The Chieftians' entitled "Divertissment for a Kerryman", which is recorded on the groups latest CD, "Divertissement".
This latest CD contains an exciting programme of music including established favourites such as Poulenc - Sextuor, Ibert - Trois Pieces Breves, Farkas - Early Hungarian Dances, as well as lesser known works such as Harald Saeverud's emotive Rondo Amoroso and a stunning arrangement by Paul Nagle entitled The Roaring Twenties. The CD has received excellent reviews - BBC Music Magazine " Their performance conveys the sheer enjoyment of wind quintet playing." British Double Reed Society Magazine "An excellent CD highly recommended both to listen to and as an example of what can be achieved." The CWQ are Ian Crowther (oboe) Rosemary Rathbone (flute) Carol Raby (clarinet) Simon Chiswell (bassoon) Nick Morgan (french horn).