The Fibonacci Sequence is a versatile chamber ensemble based in the United Kingdom, and since 1994 it has been the artist in residence at Kingston University. The group consists of musicians of international stature who are well-versed in the chamber repertoire, and the personnel shifts according to the needs of a given work. In the case of Franz Schubert's Octet in F major, D. 803, the instrumentation of clarinet, bassoon, horn, and string quintet (which includes a double bass) is not a conventional grouping, yet Fibonacci is flexible enough to fill the parts with performers who sound attuned to each other, as if they had played together for years.

Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time was once considered so difficult that it was rarely performed, but the technical competence and musical confidence of players has advanced so far in the half century since its composition that exceptionally fine recordings have become commonplace. The British ensemble the Fibonacci Sequence tackles the quartet with expertise and musicality, and even if the performance can't be counted among the truly transcendent, it still adds to the growing list of recordings that can be recommended. The star turn here comes from clarinetist Julian Farrell, who can let a tone emerge out of nothing and make it swell to immense proportions.

The fourth volume in The Fibonacci Sequence’s acclaimed series of CD’s focussing on a solo instrument. In this case it’s the turn of the oboe, featuring Christopher O’Neal. The Fibonacci Sequence is now well established as one of the finest chamber ensembles in Britain. This witty collection of music for oboe and chamber ensemble, highlights, as oboist Christopher O’Neal describes “the humour of Françaix, the irony of Poulenc, the brilliance of Crusell and the easy charm of Alwyn.” But, he adds, “the two Mozart pieces have it all, and in spades!”

Distinguished chamber ensemble, The Fibonacci Sequence present their fifth disc in the instrument-led series of recordings focusing on music for clarinet. Now in its eighteenth year, the Fibonacci Sequence is considered one of the UK’s most distinguished chamber ensembles with a wide-ranging discography and impressive reviews. The ensemble has performed at the world’s leading festivals and venues and it has been chosen for the season 2012-2013 by the Concert Promotions Network.

The only out-and-out solo piece is Weber's Andante and Hungarian Rondo… Skinner makes a beautiful sound in the expressive Andante, and hurtles effectively through the virtuoso coda… even if you're not particularly a bassoon buff you'll find this a very enjoyable programme