J.J. Quantz: Concerto for flute in G Minor, No. 97 (QV 5:206) was written approximately in 1745- 1750. This concerto was composed during Quantz’s exclusive tenure as the court composer and flute teacher to Frederick the Great. During these years, Quantz was establishing the "Potsdam style," which favored the Empfindsamer Stil (Sensitive Style). G minor was a key Quantz frequently used to evoke "seriousness," "melancholy," and "agitation," providing a dramatic counterpoint to the King's more festive major-key repertoire.
Under the terms of Quantz's 1741 contract, the King held absolute ownership of these works; they were forbidden from being published or performed outside the court to maintain the prestige of the royal musical establishment.
The premiere took place at the Sanssouci Palace or the Potsdam City Palace during the King’s nightly Abendmusiken (evening chamber concerts). These were private, elite gatherings where Frederick himself typically performed the solo part, accompanied by a small string ensemble and a keyboardist (often C.P.E. Bach).
The manuscript of this Concerto is held in the Berlin State Library (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin), part of the private collection of 297 concertos written specifically for the King's use.

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. Amorevole

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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.