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Baroque

Baroque

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Quantz Johann Joachim

Albinoni, Tomaso Giovanni

Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel

Bach, Johann Sebastian

Bach, Wilhelm Friedmann

Barre, Michel de la

Benda, Franz

Blavet, Michel

Boccherini, Luigi

Boismortier, Joseph Bodin de

Čart, Jiří

Chédeville, Nicolas

Corelli, Arcangelo

Corrette, Michel

Couperin, François

Handel, George Frideric

Hotteterre, Jacques-Martin

Leclair, Jean-Marie l'aîné

Locatelli, Pietro Antonio

Loeillet (de Gant), Jean-Baptiste

Marais, Marin

Marc, Thomas

Marcello, Benedetto

Martini, Giovanni Battista

Müthel, Johann Gottfried

Pachelbel, Johann

Pergolesi, Giovanni Battista

Platti, Giovanni Benedetto

Quantz, Johann Joachim

Telemann, Georg Philipp

Tromlitz, Johann George

Vitali, Tomaso Antonio

Vivaldi, Antonio

Sonata in B Minor, No. 104, QV 1:167

By Quantz Johann Joachim

J.J. Quantz: Sonata in B Minor, No. 104, QV 1:167 was written around 1732-1735. In the later Prussian royal catalogs, it is designated as No. 104 (S-No. 104). This relatively low number indicates it was one of the early works acquired or re-cataloged for the private library of Frederick the Great when the royal collection was first organized.
Like most of his early works, it was composed during his service to the Electors of Saxony (Augustus II and Augustus III) in Dresden.
In the early 1730s, Quantz was a key member of the Dresden Court Orchestra, then considered the most prestigious ensemble in Europe.
This sonata reflects the "Mixed Taste" (vermischter Geschmack) Quantz pioneered, fusing Italian brilliance (learned during his 1724–1727 Grand Tour) with French elegance and German counterpoint.
This was the decade when the then-Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia began taking secret flute lessons from Quantz. Early sonatas like QV 1:167 likely provided the technical foundation for the future King's advanced training.

Benedek Csalog (flute), Rita Papp (harpsichord), 2002, Hungaraton records

1. Siciliana

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Benedek Csalog (flute), Rita Papp (harpsichord), 2002, Hungaraton records

2. Allegro assai

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Benedek Csalog (flute), Rita Papp (harpsichord), 2002, Hungaraton records

3. Vivace

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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.