Flute Concertos, Vol. 2 - Nos. 16, 17 and 22

Flute Concertos, Vol. 2 – Nos. 16, 17 and 22 Naxos 8.573040

Franz Anton Hoffmeister was a formative figure in the musical life of his time and highly regarded as a publisher of famous contemporaries such as Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. The variety and appeal of his own works also made him a popular and renowned composer. As for volume 1 of this series (8.572738), flautist Bruno Meier has created new editions of these previously unknown works. With elegant and catchy themes, substantial proportions, intriguing major/minor contrasts of key and virtuoso solo writing, Hoffmeister satisfied the tastes of his time, finding a perfect balance between grace and artistry.

Review:
By the time of his death in 1812, aged 58, the musical world had turned to Mozart and Beethoven, the vast output of Franz Anton Hoffmeister all but forgotten. It has been much due to the Swiss flautist, Bruno Meier, that they have resurfaced in the new editions that he has created. Many were never put to print in the composer’s li­fetime, though that is not the case with the present disc. So we have an opening movement of the Sixteenth that has a readily memorable theme, followed by an Adagio that any competent kapellmeister could put together on a wet Monday afternoon. Then in the following concerto we have the most charming Rondo in its theme and variations format, the theme as perky as anything that came from the young Haydn. Loving accounts, the playing of the Prague Chamber Orchestra neat and perfectly balanced. Very good sound and we are promised twenty more concertos.
David Denton, David’s Review Cor­ner