J.J. Quantz: Concerto for flute in E Major, No. 146 (QV 5:108) was written approximately in 1745- 1750. This concerto was written during the height of Quantz’s exclusive tenure as the court musician and flute teacher to Frederick the Great of Prussia. During these years, Quantz established a unique musical environment in Potsdam, where he was the highest-paid musician in the kingdom, and focused entirely on the King’s private musical needs. Like nearly all of Quantz's 300 concertos, this work was the personal property of the King and was not published or circulated during Quantz's lifetime, ensuring that the "Potsdam style" remained unique to the Prussian court.
The work was composed specifically for King Frederick II (The Great). It was tailored to the King's technical strengths, utilizing the resonance of the E major key, which, while challenging on the one-keyed flute of the era, was significantly more stable on the two-keyed flutes Quantz custom-built for the monarch.
The premiere took place at the Sanssouci Palace or the City Palace in Potsdam during the King's nightly Abendmusiken (evening chamber concerts). These were private, high-stakes sessions where the King himself was typically the soloist, often accompanied by a small string ensemble and a keyboardist such as C.P.E. Bach.

Eric Lamb (flute), Michael Alexander Willens (conductor), Orchester der Kölner Akademie, 2018, Profil / Naxos

1. Allegretto

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Eric Lamb (flute), Michael Alexander Willens (conductor), Orchester der Kölner Akademie, 2018, Profil / Naxos

2. Affettuoso di molto

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Eric Lamb (flute), Michael Alexander Willens (conductor), Orchester der Kölner Akademie, 2018, Profil / Naxos

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.