Neapolitan Cafe in Bloomington, MN

To say that Quartetto Gelato is eclectic would be an understatement. This group of multi-instrumentalists has built its reputation on the basis of a far-ranging repertoire that encompasses a multitude of musical genres, forms, and styles, seasoned with a healthy dose of quirkiness and humor. And underneath it all is the impeccable musicianship of each of the members. The offbeat instrumentation, which includes oboe, violin, cello, and accordion, lends the quartet a Mediterranean-style sound, but the overall result is difficult to categorize--is it "light" classical? Chamber-style Pop? It doesn't matter. The bottom line is that it's high quality music that's fun to listen to.

On NEAPOLITAN CAFE, the ensemble breezes through an assortment of tangos, waltzes, and mazurkas along with traditional Italian songs and even a bit of classic Italian pop. The album is anchored by Dvorak's Four Bagatelles, Op. 47, the group's expert reading of which carries just the right amount of insouciance, fitting them perfectly in with the rest of the program. Quartetto Gelato's approach of brushing aside musical pretension won't gain snob appeal, but it does offer an alternative to "serious" music.