Concerto in A Major for flute and keyboard (Wq. 168, H 438)

C.P.E. Bach: Concerto for flute in A Major (Wq 168, H 438) was written in 1753, when Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was employed as a court harpsichordist for Prussian King Friedrich II. Originally the concerto was written for harpsichord. Later that year it was arranged for the flute and for the cello. The concerto is considered as one of six Bach C.P.E. concertos for flute known today.     

The concerto is scored for solo flute, strings, and continuo (usually harpsichord). It follows the traditional three-movement structure: fast and lively Allegro, showcasing the virtuosic abilities of the flute in the first movement is followed by slow and expressively intimate Largo con sordini (slow and with mutes) in the second one. The final Allegro assai demonstrates flute's agility soloist’s technical capabilities.