Zelenka: 6 Trio Sonatas, ZWV 181, new album featuring Ramón Ortega Quero and Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno

Zelenka 6 Trio Sonatas ZWV 181 is the newly released album from GENUIN classics with two oboists in the foreground: Ramón Ortega Quero and Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno. This is a particularly exciting release for those of us who love the oboe.

In my opinion as a professional oboist, the recording of a new album is always something to celebrate within the oboe world. In this instance, moreover, we are talking about an incredible record, featuring exceptional oboists whom I have the pleasure of knowing and whom I deeply admire for how they play and who they are as people.

For me, the most valuable part of a recording like this is not just hearing well-played notes: it’s hearing how they breathe, how they tune with each other, how they maintain the center of the sound, and how they manage to make such demanding music feel alive, natural, and full of direction.

In this post, I am sharing interviews with the two oboists, my personal take on the album, a link to listen to it, and also a link to the Zelenka post. I hope you enjoy it!

Zelenka 6 Sonatas ZWV 181 album cover with Ramón Ortega Quero and Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno — Official cover of the album *Zelenka: 6 Sonatas, ZWV 181*. Source: GENUIN classics / Odesli.

Album quick facts

TitleZelenka: 6 Sonatas, ZWV 181

ComposerJan Dismas Zelenka

OboesÁngel Luis Sánchez Moreno and Ramón Ortega Quero

ContinuoMarc Trenel, Wies de Boevé and Alfonso Sebastián

LabelGENUIN classics · GEN 26955

ReleaseJune 5, 2026 · 140’02

RecordingJoaquín Rodrigo Hall at the Palau de la Música in Valencia, May 28-31 and September 8-11, 2025.

The oboists of the album

The album’s appeal lies not only in the repertoire: it’s also in the combination of top-tier performers. In our case, we are particularly drawn to Ramón Ortega and Ángel Luis Sánchez, two outstanding oboists.

Ramón and Ángel also have interviews on EG-REEDS that help provide more context when listening to the record. In the interview, another layer is revealed: how they think about their sound, their careers, the instrument, and their way of existing within the music.

Interview with Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno

Trained in Zaragoza and at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague.

Interview with Ramón Ortega Quero

Winner of the ARD Munich Competition in 2007 and principal oboe of the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks since 2008.

In the interview: Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno on EG-REEDS.

EG-REEDS Oboe Reeds

Choose a reed that lets you respond freely

After listening to an album like this, the question returns to the music stand: response, center, intonation, and color. At EG-REEDS you can select professional or student reeds adjusted to help you play with more confidence.

Buy professional reeds Buy student reeds

Professional reedsPRO, Mayer, 901 and M2

Student reedsBeginner and intermediate

The ZWV 181 trio sonatas are written for two oboes, bassoon, and basso continuo. In this recording, the continuo is articulated with double bass and harpsichord, a foundation that allows the two oboes to be heard distinctly. For the specialized listener, this turns the album into precious material: you can perceive the attack of the reed, the stability of the sound center, the handling of intonation in thirds and sixths, and the way each oboe integrates without losing its personality.

Technical aspects to listen for in the album

ResponseWhat to listen for: rapid entries, imitations, and register changes.Why it matters: a balanced reed responds without forcing you to push; this leaves room for phrasing.

IntonationWhat to listen for: dialogue between oboes, thirds, sixths, and bass support.Why it matters: intonation is active listening among air, reed, ear, and harmonic function.

ArticulationWhat to listen for: baroque figuration, sequences, and lively passages.Why it matters: the attack needs clarity without becoming dry or mechanical.

TimbreWhat to listen for: contrast between singing lines and more virtuosic moments.Why it matters: a good sound retains its core, flexibility, and presence of color.

BlendWhat to listen for: two oboes sharing melodic duties.Why it matters: it’s not about sounding identical, but conversing with color and direction.

The six trio sonatas ZWV 181

Jan Dismas Zelenka was a Bohemian baroque composer closely associated with the Dresden court. His ZWV 181 trio sonatas are significant for the oboe because they do not use the instrument merely as a secondary color: they place it at the center of demanding, contrapuntal, and highly conversational chamber writing.

Jan Dismas Zelenka and the oboe

To better understand why these sonatas are so important to the oboe world, we have prepared a separate post about Zelenka, his writing, and different versions to compare.

Read the Zelenka article

Listening guide to the six sonatas

Sonata I · F majorQuality of the opening, nobility of sound, and balance between the two oboes.

Sonata II · G minorExpressive tension, intonation in dark passages, and bass density.

Sonata III · B-flat majorBrilliance, response, and articulation with a dance-like character.

Sonata IV · G minorDepth of phrasing and color control in long lines.

Sonata V · F majorFlexibility, blend, and energy management in the middle-high register.

Sonata VI · C minorDramatic character, stability of emission, and rhetorical direction.

Listen to the album

You can also start here with Spotify, YouTube, and the EG-REEDS interview with Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno.

First listen to the album on YouTube.

Complete album playlist.

Frequently asked questions

When will Zelenka: 6 Sonatas, ZWV 181 be released?

GENUIN classics states the release date as June 5, 2026.

Who are the oboists on the album?

The oboists are Ramón Ortega Quero and Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno. The ensemble is completed by Marc Trenel on bassoon, Wies de Boevé on double bass, and Alfonso Sebastián on harpsichord.

What is the instrumentation of these Zelenka sonatas?

The ZWV 181 cycle is scored for two oboes, bassoon, and basso continuo. In this recording, the continuo is played on double bass and harpsichord, according to the label’s credits.

Where can I listen to the album?

You can start from the GENUIN streaming page, Spotify, YouTube, or the playlist linked in this article.

Why would this record interest an oboist?

Because it allows you to hear very clearly the response, intonation, articulation, blend, and tone color in a repertoire where both oboes hold a constant responsibility.

Sources consulted

Source	Data used	Link
GENUIN classics	Editorial details, date, performers, duration, and catalog	Album details
GENUIN / Odesli	Listening links and album cover	Streaming page
Webbooklet GEN 26955	Tracklist, instrumentation, credits, and recording details	PDF Booklet
Ángel Luis Sánchez Moreno	Discography and official biography	Discography
Ramón Ortega Quero	Official biography and photo	Biography