Johann Joachim Quantz's On Playing the Flute has long been recognized as one of the primary sources of information about eighteenth-century performance practice. In spite of its title it is not simply a tutor for the flute but a fully-fledged programme for training musicians of all types with detailed information on intonation ornamentation dynamics the 'duties' of the various accompanying performers including the leader of the orchestra and the principal forms and styles (French Italian and German) of the time. Although Quantz is most often identified as the teacher of Frederick the Great his musical roots were in Dresden the most brilliant musical establishmentin Germany; and his travels and studies in Italy France and England gave him direct experience of most phases of European musical life in the 1720s and 30s. This reissue of the second edition provides a wonderfully complete and detailed picture of musical taste and performance practice in the 18th century and includes a new introduction by Professor Reilly drawing attention to recent research on Quantz. Whether you want to learn to play the flute and be taught by the teacher of Frederick the Great or just to gain a first-hand insight into the history of classical music On Playing the Flute is an essential and entertaining read.
SKU: BR.EB-6723
ISBN 9790004169254. 9 x 12 inches.
This edition of the 28 variations on the aria Ich schlief, da traumte mir for flute and bassa continuo by Johann Joachim Quantz, published here for the first time, is based on a manuscript in the Preussischen Staatsbibliothek in Berlin, whose title reads: Solo Traverso cole Basso Achtundzwantzig Variation es uber die Arie Ich schlief da traumte mir del Sigr: Qvanz The high degree which the art of flute playing had reached at that time is very clearly displayed in this set of variations, a form unusual in Quantz's output. For this reason, this work is very suitable as a study as weil as for performance. The realization of the figured bass and the indications of phrasing merely represent one of many possibilities, and are only intended as suggestions. The source is in places full of errors, and these have been tacitly corrected. Frank Nagel, Basel, June 1974.
