J.J. Quantz: Concerto in B Minor (QV 5:263) was written around 1745-1750. As opposed to the traditional three-movement (Fast-Slow-Fast) Italian structure, this Concerto in B minor is an exception that follows the four-movement Sonata da Chiesa (Slow-Fast-Slow-Fast) pattern. By opening with a Larghetto, Quantz was employing an older, more conservative church sonata structure that was becoming less common in the concerto genre by the 1740s but remained part of his "Berlin School" output for the Prussian court.
Around the time of composition, Quantz was firmly established as the court composer and flute teacher to Frederick the Great in Potsdam/Berlin. He had been in the King’s exclusive service since 1741, receiving the unprecedented salary of 2,000 thalers. This concerto was part of the "private" repertoire of the Prussian court. Frederick the Great performed flute concerts nearly every evening, and Quantz’s primary duty was to provide a constant stream of new music that suited the King’s specific technical abilities and expressive preferences.

"Rachel Brown's 1997 recording remains a landmark because it utilizes a copy of a two-keyed Quantz flute at the historical pitch of A=392Hz, allowing these specific movement structures and effects to be heard as they would have been at Sanssouci Palace."

Hyperion Records, with thanks to Dr Helmut Hell of the Deutsche Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.

Rachel Brown (flute), Roy Goodman (conductor), The Brandenburg Consort, 1997, Hyperion Records / Universal Music Group

1. Larghetto

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Rachel Brown (flute), Roy Goodman (conductor), The Brandenburg Consort, 1997, Hyperion Records / Universal Music Group

2. Allegro

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Rachel Brown (flute), Roy Goodman (conductor), The Brandenburg Consort, 1997, Hyperion Records / Universal Music Group

3. Adagio

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Rachel Brown (flute), Roy Goodman (conductor), The Brandenburg Consort, 1997, Hyperion Records / Universal Music Group

4. Allegro

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Quantz Johann Joachim

Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773) was a German composer, flutist and flute maker. He was regarded as the most prominent flutist of the eighteen century who made a big impact on Frederick II "The Great", King of Prussia who was his student as a young prince. The King played flute and composed some works for flute as well.

Quantz was born in Oberscheden in a family of blacksmith. After his father’s death he began music studies with his uncle and local organist. In 1717 he moved to Dresden where he studied counterpoint with J.D.Zelenka and flute with P.G.Buffardin, principal flute of the Royal Orchestra (Staatskapelle Dresden). From 1724 Quantz toured Europe for three years as a flutist, impressing by his artistry Scarlatti, Handel, Blavet and Queen of Prussia who wanted to hire him. Instead, he taught young Crown Prince Frederic II of Prussia despite his father’s (Frederick the Great) disapproval. When Frederick II became King of Prussia in 1740, Quantz officially took a position as a composer, flutist and flute maker at the King’s court in Potsdam until his death in 1773.
Besides his numerous works for flute Quantz is known as the author of Versuch einer Anweisung die Flöte traversiere zu spielen (Playing the traverse Flute) treatise as well as for his mechanical improvements of the flute as an instrument.