Content: I. Op. 18 Nr. 1 - Allegro - Rondo / Allegretto - Mineur II. Op. 18 Nr. 2 - Allegro - Minuetto I - Minuetto II - Minuetto I III. Op. 18 Nr. 3 - Adagio - Allegro IV. Op. 18 Nr. 4 - Allegro - Minuetto I - Minuetto II V. Op. 18 Nr. 5 - Allegro - Grazioso con Variatione VI. Op. 18 Nr. 6 - Allegro - Rondo / Allegretto

Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773) was a German composer and flautist. Orphaned at an early age, he was apprenticed to a related town musician in Merseburg. He then studied counterpoint with Zelenka and Fuchs in Vienna in 1717. He joined the Royal Polish Chapel in Dresden and Warsaw in 1718, first as an oboist and then as a flautist. From 1724-1727, he travelled to Italy, Paris and London on an electoral scholarship. Returning to his old position in Dresden, he played for Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia in 1728, who chose him as his teacher and appointed him as his musical confidant in Berlin after his accession to the throne in 1741. Quantz wrote the first German flute school ‘Versuch einer Anweisung die Flöte traversiere zu spielen’, which was authoritative until the 19th century and is particularly valuable to us today as a source for the performance practice of early music. Among other things, he composed flute concertos, chamber music with flute, solo and trio sonatas for flute and basso continuo, flute duets and trios.

Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773) was a German composer and flautist. Orphaned at an early age, he was apprenticed to a related town musician in Merseburg. He then studied counterpoint with Zelenka and Fuchs in Vienna in 1717. He joined the Royal Polish Chapel in Dresden and Warsaw in 1718, first as an oboist and then as a flautist. From 1724-1727, he travelled to Italy, Paris and London on an electoral scholarship. Returning to his old position in Dresden, he played for Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia in 1728, who chose him as his teacher and appointed him as his musical confidant in Berlin after his accession to the throne in 1741. Quantz wrote the first German flute school ‘Versuch einer Anweisung die Flöte traversiere zu spielen’, which was authoritative until the 19th century and is particularly valuable to us today as a source for the performance practice of early music. Among other things, he composed flute concertos, chamber music with flute, solo and trio sonatas for flute and basso continuo, flute duets and trios.

Michel Blavet (1700-1768) was a French composer and flute virtuoso. He was a remarkable artist who not only specialised in the bassoon and flute, but was also known for his exceptional intonation, even in difficult keys. Voltaire admired the beautiful sound of his playing and Marpurg described him as a virtuoso of the highest quality who maintained modesty despite his great popularity. He was characterised by the fact that he held the flute with his left hand, which set him apart from most flutists of his time. His works, written mainly for the transverse flute, show both the 'Italian and French styles' and are written in simple keys to make them accessible to amateurs. His surviving works include a concerto and 3 sonata books (1740).

Robert Valentin (ca. 1678 - 1747), also known as Roberto Valentini or Roberto Valentino, was a well-known English composer, recorder player, oboist and violinist. He moved to Rome and became an Italian citizen. Valentino is best known for his numerous recorder compositions. He was considered a highly skilled player of this instrument. His instrumental compositions include a series of sonata collections and trio sonatas as well as concerto grosso. At first, his style was strongly orientated towards that of Arcangelo Corelli. Over time, however, he increasingly turned towards the galant style, which is reflected in his later sonatas published in Northern Europe. Content: I. Sonata - Andante - Allegro - Largo - Allegro II. Sonata - Largo - Allegro - Adagio - Allegro III. Sonata - Largo - Allegro - Andante - Minuet