Formed by a group of distinguished musicians hailing from some of Europe’s premier orchestras and ensembles, Spunicunifait is dedicated to providing historically accurate interpretations of Mozart‘s string quintets. The ensemble’s name is inspired by a playful term found in one of Mozart’s letters, the exact meaning of which remains ambiguous. “Our aim was to produce a recording that pays tribute to the quintets with the same respect usually reserved for [Mozart’s] quartets,” they state. This philosophy leads to performances marked by clarity, agility, and an effortless energy. The collection includes five renowned quintets along with the early B flat work K174, for which Spunicunifait offers two unique interpretations of its finale.All compositions are arranged for a string quintet featuring two violas—differentiating it from Boccherini’s pieces or Schubert’s celebrated C major quintet that employs two cellos.

The ensemble consists of Lorenza Borrani and Maia Cabeza on violin, max Mandel and simon Von Rahden on viola, along with Luise Buchberger on cello; they utilize a combination of past instruments from the eighteenth century alongside modern replicas to create an engaging auditory experience that feels both personal and vibrant.
While not every element in their interpretation may appeal universally—such as their restrained use of vibrato which can sometimes seem stark—their occasional application of subtle glissandi might occasionally feel excessive; however, these are minor critiques overall.The performances highlight the group’s musicality as well as their deep comprehension of these less frequently performed masterpieces in every note.