Graf: Flute Concertos

Pas-Van Riet, Gaby;
Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim;
Moesus, Johannes

CPO 777724

Friedrich Hartmann Graf is as little-known today as he was immensely popular in his lifetime, when he enjoyed great esteem as a virtuoso flautist and composer. His works, whether printed or (as most often happened) in manuscript, were disseminated far and wide. His many unprinted compositions were distributed by such renowned publishing firms as Breitkopf and by the composer himself, who was apparently no less business-minded than Leopold Mozart and Joseph Haydn and offered his music to a select group of subscribers. To quote a contemporary, »The compositions for his favorite instrument are held in great esteem by connoisseurs of that instrument, especially in England, Holland, and Switzerland, and are exceptionally popular at many German courts.« Incidentally, their popularity in Holland was no accident, for his brother Christian Ernst headed the chapel of Willem V of Orange in The Hague, where Hartmann was a frequent and welcome visitor. The four flute concertos on our recording are marvelously entertaining additions to the early classical repertoire.

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

CPO

25-10-2012

761203772421

American Record Guide: 'Critic’s Choice' (2014)