J.J. Quantz: Concerto for flute in C Major No. 188 (QV 5:15) was written approximately in 1738–1742. This period marks a massive turning point in Quantz’s life. In 1740, his student, the Crown Prince, ascended the throne as Frederick the Great. In 1741, Quantz officially left the Dresden court to enter the King’s exclusive service in Berlin/Potsdam. This concerto was composed during the years when Quantz was defining the "Berlin School" style—a blend of Italian structural clarity and North German expressive depth (Empfindsamkeit).
The Concert was premiered at the Berlin Royal Palace or Sanssouci during the King’s nightly private chamber concerts. In these intimate settings, the King performed as the soloist, accompanied by a small ensemble of strings and a keyboard player, often C.P.E. Bach.
As with most of his 300 concertos, the manuscript (held in the Berlin State Library) was part of the King's private collection and was not published during Quantz's lifetime. Under the terms of Quantz's contract, all of his compositions became the King’s personal property to ensure the royal flute repertoire remained unique and superior to that of other European courts.

James Galway

Jörg Faerber (conductor), Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, 1991, BMG Music / RCA Red Seal

1. Allegro

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James Galway

Jörg Faerber (conductor), Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, 1991, BMG Music / RCA Red Seal

2. Amoroso

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James Galway

Jörg Faerber (conductor), Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, 1991, BMG Music / RCA Red Seal

3. Presto

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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.