Fine performances of Quantz Recorder Concertos and Sonatas
Johann Joachim Quantz is rightly considered the father of the flute. He was one of the first virtuosi of the transverse flute. He was also one of the foremost flute makers of his day.
Quantz’s writings are still used as standard references for Baroque flute technique and ornamentation. And he wrote almost 600 works, most featuring the transverse flute or the recorder.
This recording features two concertos and two trio sonatas. Stefano Baliano is the recorder soloist. He plays with a warm, mellow tone that remains consistent, even in the upper registers. Like Quantz, he’s the master of his instrument. Bagliano’s technique has a fluidity that makes even the most difficult passage sound elegantly simple.
Bagliano’s the founder of the Collegium Pro Musica. The deep relationship between soloist and ensemble make these performances pleasing to listen to.
I especially enjoyed the Concerto in G minor (QV6:8a) and the Trio Sonata in C (QV2:Anh.3). These feature both recorder and transverse flute as soloists. The rich, darker tone of Lorenzo Cavasanti’s transverse flute blends well with Bagliano’s recorder. It’s a smooth, yet complex blend of sound that I liked very much.
A superb addition to the Collegium Pro Musica’s growing catalog of fine early music performances.
Johann Joachim Quantz: Concertos & Sonatas with Recorder
Concerto in F for recorder and strings, QV5:130; Concerto in G minor for recorder, flute, and strings, QV6:8a; Trio Sonata in C for recorder, flute, and b.c., QV2:Anh.3; Trio Sonata in G minor for recorder, violin, and b.c., QV2:20
Stefano Bagliano, recorder
Collegium Pro Musica
Brilliant Classics 95386
