Search - Kuhlau, Root, Egarr :: Works for Flute & Fortepiano

Fine rendition of well crafted salon music

Dr. A. Large | 02/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording features three works for fortepiano and flute by Friedrich Kuhlau: Grande Sonate concertante in a minor, Op. 85, Introduction & Rondo, Op. 98a and No.3 of the three Duos Brilliant (Op.110/3). Kuhlau is occassionally described as the Beethoven of the flute (as a contemporary and aquaintance of the latter composer), but this is not a helpful description.Whilst very well crafted and clearly the work of a talented composer, this music seems much more suited to a private function rather than the concert hall although the grand titles of the works may suggest otherwise. This is actually very typical early nineteenth century salon music, pleasant and unchallenging for the listener with plenty of virtuoso passages for the musicians to show off. It is rather lightweight when compared to the near contemporary flute music of Anton Reicha.The flute used here by Marten Root is a copy of nine-keyed classical flute of the early nineteenth century which sounds much more even than a baroque flute but is still quite different in character in a Boehm-system flute. The fortepiano played by Richard Egarr is an original of 1825 by Fritz. Both instruments have an excellent sound and suit the music well. The playing throughout the programme is also of the highest order and the recording clear and detailed."