The Flute King - Music from the Court of Frederick the Great
Emmanuel Pahud
EMI Classics 0 84230 2
The programme of this two-CD set of music from the court of the flute-playing Prussian emperor Frederick the Great provides an intriguing snapshot of a significant time and place in the flute’s repertoire. The first disc features concertos by C.P.E. Bach, Benda, Frederick II himself and his flute teacher Quantz, in which flutist Emmanuel Pahud is accompanied by the geographically appropriate Kammerakademie Potsdam. The playing from everyone involved is pleasant enough, though a sameness of musical character and lack of nuance pervade the performance of these pieces, some of which require extra imaginative “juice” to bring them completely off the page. On the other hand, the inherent dynamic theatricality of CPE Bach’s Concerto in A Minor isn’t exploited well enough.
Disc Two presents us with J.S. Bach’s Musical Offering trio sonata and sonatas by Frederick, his sister Anna Amalia, J.F. Agricola and C.P.E. Bach and here the playing is imbued with greater creativity of spirit. Pahud, perhaps inspired by his colleagues, harpsichordist Trevor Pinnock, cellist Jonathan Manson and violinist Matthew Truscott, plays with increased variety of colour and articulation. J.S. Bach’s inestimable trio sonata receives an affectionate and thoughtful rendition, and of special note are Anna Amalia’s Sonata in F Major and the opening Siciliano of Frederick’s Sonata in B Minor.
Although it’s unfortunate that this recording doesn’t take more of Quantz’s own interpretive advice into account, it’s still a worthy compilation of music from 18th century, flute-focused Potsdam.
Concert Notes: Alison Melville curates and performs in “A Musical Bestiary” featuring vocal and instrumental music about creatures of earth, sea, sky and myth for the Toronto Consort at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre March 23 and 24. Melville is also involved in “The Bird Project” which will be featured in a noon-hour multi-media presentation at Walter Hall, University of Toronto on March 15.
