J.H. Roman 12 Sonatas for Flute - Musica Ad Rhenum (2015)

Composer: Johan Helmich Roman (1694 – 1758) Wikipedia
Performer: Musica Ad Rhenum
Genre : Chamber, Baroque
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release: December 2015

Here comes from a guy nickname as "The Handel of Sweden". Johan Helmich Roman is Baroque composer born in Stockholm. He was a violinist and oboist. He was leading figure in Swedish Royal Orchestra back then in 1720s. His most famous work happened to be a wedding compilation called "Drottningholmsmusique" a large orchestral suite for the wedding of the Crown Prince Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia.

In this CD we found 12 flute sonatas for Basso Continuo, which replaced by harpsichord and cello.  The form was most famous back then for flute enthusiast as they are simple. The pieces are somehow Handellian in spirit. This CD will enrich our experience and knowledge in Baroque flute repertoire.  The whole CD is given performance by flutist Jed Wentz, who happened to be American flutist born in New Brighton PA. He is expert in Baroque repertoire.

The CD descriptions:
Johan Helmich Roman (1694-1758) has a fair claim to the title of the Swedish Handel, and these twelve sonatas for flute and basso continuo represent the best of his fresh and charming music. He evidently thought highly of them too, having them published in 1727; they were his only music to be printed during his lifetime. In the preface to his edition, Roman referred to the sonatas as youthful works, which should not imply artistic immaturity but may indicate that they had been written in England. He also includes a quotation from Cicero to the effect that although he wishes the sonatas to appeal to amateur musicians, they should be taken seriously, and approached only by dilettantes in the best, old-fashioned sense of the term, well-versed in both style and technique. Having spent some time in England, where he made associations with Geminiani and Handel, among others, by then he had returned to his homeland and that year became leader of the court orchestra in Stockholm. Handels influence undoubtedly travelled with him, not only in the German composers works which he promoted at home but in the galant style of his instrumental music which is formally more innovative than many of his Baroque contemporaries, and lighter in texture. Indeed, the last movement of the Sonata No.12 contains a direct quotation from Handels F major Sonata Op.1. Jed Wentz and Musica ad Rhenum have made a series of fine Baroque-music recordings for Brilliant Classics, including CPE Bach, JS Bach, Couperin, Telemann, Handel and several lesser-known names. Of their recent release of CPE Bachs flute sonatas (BC94323), Gramophones critic remarked that I cant imagine them being played with more aplomb or artistic precision. Johan Helmich Roman (1694-1758) is called the Father of Swedish music and also the Swedish Handel. And with good reason, as his instrumental works match Handels chamber music in charm, virtuosity formal structure and tunefulness. In fact Roman met Handel during his stay in England, and Romans admiration for the master is evident. No better advocate for these somewhat neglected works than Jed Wentz and his musical companions of Musica ad Rhenum. Not only are they thoroughly aware of the stylistic details of the music and its performance, but they also hugely enjoy themselves playing these flute sonatas, written for the advanced dilettante, well versed in style and technique (as Roman himself describes it). Excellent liner notes by Jed Wentz (a fine player as well as an eminent scholar). 

Musica Ad Rhenum
Jed Wentz flauto traverso
Job ter Haar violoncello
Michael Borgstede harpsichord

BUY IT HERE
J.H. Roman: 12 Sonatas for Flute and B.C.

Disk 1

    1    Flute Sonata VI in B Minor, BeRI 206: I. Larghetto
    2    Flute Sonata VI in B Minor, BeRI 206: II. Allegro
    3    Flute Sonata VI in B Minor, BeRI 206: III. Non troppo allegro
    4    Flute Sonata VI in B Minor, BeRI 206: IV. Grave
    5    Flute Sonata VI in B Minor, BeRI 206: V. Allegro
    6    Flute Sonata II in D Major, BeRI 202: I. Vivace - Adagio – Da capo
    7    Flute Sonata II in D Major, BeRI 202: II. A tempo giusto
    8    Flute Sonata II in D Major, BeRI 202: III. Larghetto - Andante – Adagio
    9    Flute Sonata II in D Major, BeRI 202: IV. Non presto
    10    Flute Sonata IV in G Major, BeRI 204: I. Largo
    11    Flute Sonata IV in G Major, BeRI 204: II. Allegro
    12    Flute Sonata IV in G Major, BeRI 204: III. Larghetto
    13    Flute Sonata IV in G Major, BeRI 204: IV. Vivace
    14    Flute Sonata IV in G Major, BeRI 204: V. Allegro
    15    Flute Sonata IV in G Major, BeRI 204: VI. Non presto
    16    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: I. Lento
    17    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: II. Allegro
    18    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: III. Grave
    19    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: IV. Allegro
    20    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: V. Vivace
    21    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: VI. Andante
    22    Flute Sonata V in E Minor, BeRI 205: VII. Allegro
    23    Flute Sonata VII in G Major, BeRI 207: I. Largo
    24    Flute Sonata VII in G Major, BeRI 207: II. Larghetto
    25    Flute Sonata VII in G Major, BeRI 207: III. Lento
    26    Flute Sonata VII in G Major, BeRI 207: IV. Allegro assai
    27    Flute Sonata III in C Minor, BeRI 203: I. Largo
    28    Flute Sonata III in C Minor, BeRI 203: II. Allegro
    29    Flute Sonata III in C Minor, BeRI 203: III. Adagio - Non tanto
    30    Flute Sonata III in C Minor, BeRI 203: IV. Vivace
    31    Flute Sonata III in C Minor, BeRI 203: V. Alla francese

Disk 2

    1    Flute Sonata IX in C Major, BeRI 209: I. Cantabile
    2    Flute Sonata IX in C Major, BeRI 209: II. Vivace
    3    Flute Sonata IX in C Major, BeRI 209: III. Andante
    4    Flute Sonata IX in C Major, BeRI 209: IV. Allegro
    5    Flute Sonata IX in C Major, BeRI 209: V. Minuetto
    6    Flute Sonata VIII in A Major, BeRI 208: I. Largo
    7    Flute Sonata VIII in A Major, BeRI 208: II. Allegro
    8    Flute Sonata VIII in A Major, BeRI 208: III. Andante
    9    Flute Sonata VIII in A Major, BeRI 208: IV. Adagio – Allegro
    10    Flute Sonata VIII in A Major, BeRI 208: V. Allegro
    11    Flute Sonata X in E Minor, BeRI 210: I. Larghetto
    12    Flute Sonata X in E Minor, BeRI 210: II. Andante
    13    Flute Sonata X in E Minor, BeRI 210: III. Piva
    14    Flute Sonata X in E Minor, BeRI 210: IV. Non presto
    15    Flute Sonata X in E Minor, BeRI 210: V. Villanella
    16    Flute Sonata I in G Major, BeRI 201: I. Largo
    17    Flute Sonata I in G Major, BeRI 201: II. Allegro
    18    Flute Sonata I in G Major, BeRI 201: III. Larghetto
    19    Flute Sonata I in G Major, BeRI 201: IV. Andante
    20    Flute Sonata I in G Major, BeRI 201: V. Vivace
    21    Flute Sonata XI in G Minor, BeRI 211: I. Largo
    22    Flute Sonata XI in G Minor, BeRI 211: II. Allegro
    23    Flute Sonata XI in G Minor, BeRI 211: III. Larghetto
    24    Flute Sonata XI in G Minor, BeRI 211: IV. Allegro
    25    Flute Sonata XII in D Major, BeRI 212: I. Con spirit
    26    Flute Sonata XII in D Major, BeRI 212: II. Allegro
    27    Flute Sonata XII in D Major, BeRI 212: III. Con affetto
    28    Flute Sonata XII in D Major, BeRI 212: IV. Allegro

Boismortier - Six Flute Sonatas Op.91 (2015)

Composer: Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1698-1755) Wikipedia
Artist  : Wilbert Hazelzet, flute- Gerard de Wit, harpsichord
Genre : Baroque, Solo
Release : December 2015
Label: Brilliant Classics

As with any Baroque flute music releases, this CD of six flute sonatas by Joseph Bodin de Boismortier is highly appreciated by flute lover. A quick read on the composer, he seems quite established in his era, having noted as composer without a patrons. He earn enough money just by selling his music. He even have a quote, "I'm earning money", when his works being criticized, maybe due to perception that he is mass creating music. Well, as with any other Baroque composer, asked Telemann. With this pre-text, it is curious to see how his music doing. What is the music favored by people of 17th century, is now presented upon us.

The CD recorded by Wilbert Hazelzet as flutist and Gerar de Wit in harpsichord. Reading the flutist bio here, it revealed that the work are in the hand of seasoned flutist. Wilbert is 67 years old flutist specialized in flauto tranverso since 1970s. Here the CD descriptions:

 Heres another superb disc of Baroque/galant-style flute sonatas to join the impressive library of such music on Brilliant Classics, most recently enlarged by a release of Johan Helmich Roman, a close contemporary of Boismortier (1689-1755). Whereas Roman worked in the then-distant royal court of Sweden, and had only one collection of music published during his lifetime, Boismortier was known across Europe as both a supreme virtuoso on the flute/recorder family, and a composer for the instrument of a facility and refinement rivalled only by Bach. Whereas Bachs chamber music is intricately worked to display the contrapuntal skill of its creator, Boismortiers sonatas are lighter on their feet, tripping along to the gentle rhythms of French dance-metres, seeking not after profundity but the best kind of entertainment. His Op.91 collection dates from 1742 and expresses an advanced fusion of Italian and French national styles, though tending always towards the French ideal of pleasing the ear rather than striving towards the Italian aim overwhelm, astonish and shock the public with extreme effects. Soothing sweetness, amusing liveliness and caressing tenderness characterize this mixed style, providing good moods and wellbeing to an easy listening audience, then and now. Such distinctions can be appreciated by Wilbert Hazelzet as by few others, for he has worked in the vanguard of historically informed performance movement for many decades alongside such distinguished colleagues as Reinhard Goebel, Ton Koopman and Jaap ter Linden. A new Hazelzet is always to be anticipated, for its technical assurance and enlightened, enlivening musicianship of impeccable taste. Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1789-1755) was a highly successful French composer of instrumental and vocal music, the first independent composer without patron, publisher of his own works (which made him extremely wealthy). Boismortiers flute sonatas are a harmonious blend of the French and Italian style, pleasing to the ear, light-footed and tuneful, aimed to entertain. Excellent performance by Dutch flutist Wilbert Hazelzet, an artist who won his spurs in his collaboration with pioneers Ton Koopman, Reinhard Goebel and Franz Brüggen. He is seconded by Gerard de Wit, one of Hollands excellent harpsichord players of the next generation. - sources

BUY IT HERE
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier: 6 Flute Sonatas Op. 91

    1    Flute Sonata No. 3 in G Major, Op. 91: I. Rondement
    2    Flute Sonata No. 3 in G Major, Op. 91: II. Gayement
    3    Flute Sonata No. 3 in G Major, Op. 91: III. Air. Gracieusement
    4    Flute Sonata No. 3 in G Major, Op. 91: IV. Gayement
    5    Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 91: I. Gayement
    6    Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 91: II. Gracieusement
    7    Flute Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 91: III. Gayement
    8    Flute Sonata No. 1 in D Major, Op. 91: I. Sicilienne
    9    Flute Sonata No. 1 in D Major, Op. 91: II. Gayement
    10    Flute Sonata No. 1 in D Major, Op. 91: III. Gracieusement
    11    Flute Sonata No. 1 in D Major, Op. 91: IV. Gayement
    12    Flute Sonata No. 5 in A Major, Op. 91: I. Legerement
    13    Flute Sonata No. 5 in A Major, Op. 91: II. Gracieusement
    14    Flute Sonata No. 5 in A Major, Op. 91: III. Gayement
    15    Flute Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 91: I. Gayement
    16    Flute Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 91: II. Gracieusement
    17    Flute Sonata No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 91: III. Gayement
    18    Flute Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 91: I. Gayement
    19    Flute Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 91: II. Gracieusement
    20    Flute Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 91: III. Menuets I et II