Fantaisie-Sonate for flute and piano, Op. 17

Max Meyer-Olbersleben (1850–1927) was a distinguished German composer, pianist, and influential music educator of the late Romantic era.
Born in Olbersleben, Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, he later appended his birthplace to his surname to distinguish himself. He initially studied piano with the legendary Franz Liszt in Weimar and then continued his piano and composition studies with Carl Reinecke in Leipzig. This training with two of the most famous keyboard pedagogues of the 19th century is reflected in the demanding and sophisticated piano writing found in works like the Fantaisie-Sonate, Op. 17.
His composition and counterpoint studies with Reinecke allowed him later to get a position of Professor of Counterpoint and Composition at the Würzburg Conservatory.
In 1877, he became a professor at the Königliche Musikschule (Royal Music School) in Würzburg, where he eventually served as Director from 1907 to 1920. Under his leadership, Würzburg became a major center for German music education.
Overall, his education placed him at the heart of the "New German School," though his own style remained rooted in Romantic lyricism. His music is characterized by its melodic richness, formal clarity, and technical brilliance. He was a master of the "Salon" and "Fantasy" styles, often blending traditional sonata structures with improvisational freedom.
During his lifetime, he was highly regarded for his choral works and Lieder, which were frequently performed by German singing societies.