Mozart: Flute Quartets

In Mozart’s (1756-1791) time, the traverse flute underwent some important changes. By the addition of a number of keys and a reconstruction of the body, the head and the keyholes the tone and power of the sound were increased substantially, thus gaining the status of a serious solo instrument.

- Mozart seemed to have had a certain aversion to the instrument. When writing the flute quartets he complained: “I soon got tired of writing for the same instrument (which I cannot bear)”. He wrote the flute quartets for the Dutch flutist De Jean, with whom he had a business dispute, and therefore disliked him very much. The quartets however show no trace of chagrin: they are delightful works, sparkling, melodious and vintage Mozart, they firmly hold their place in the standard concert repertoire.

- The Ardinghello Ensemble plays chamber music of the classical-romantic period. Playing on historical flutes and with historical bows, as well as studying sources and research, strengthen the emotional access to the music of the era. They play the quartets with cadenzas and improvised passages, as Mozart wanted them to be performed. As a bonus they play the first version of the Oboe Quartet KV 307.

• Mozart: Flute Quartet in F major, K370
• Mozart: Flute Quartet No. 1 in D major, K285
• Mozart: Flute Quartet No. 2 in G major, K285a
• Mozart: Flute Quartet No. 3 in C major, K285b
• Mozart: Flute Quartet No. 4 in A major, K298