Arturo Toscanini hailed I Musici as "twelve very capable lads of eighteen, a perfect chamber orchestra." The group came together as students at the famous Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome. They wanted to explore music of Italian composers of the past, which was not being played. At the time this included most of the music of Vivaldi (the now ubiquitous 'Four Seasons' was still reserved for historic concerts in 1952).

I Musici quickly changed all that. They toured widely, recorded prolifically and brought back music of Vivaldi, Corelli, Locatelli, Scarlatti as well as more familiar works of Bach, Handel and Mozart.

The group distinguished itself with brilliance and ensemble virtuosity, led at first by Felix Ayo (until 1968). This was coupled with true warmth of sound which can only be described as 'Italianate.' Later leaders have included Pina Carmirelli and Salvatore Accardo.

In addition to its pioneering work on Italian Baroque composers, I Musici championed music of its own time, interspersing their programs and recordings of earlier music with the compositions of Bartok, Britten. Hindemith, Martin and many others.