Kuhlau: Flute Quintets

Friedrich Kuhlau (Composer), Juilliard String Quartet (Orchestra), Jean Pierre Rampal (Performer), Robert Mann (Performer), Earl Carlyss (Performer), Samuel Rhodes (Performer), Joel Krosnick (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jean Pierre Rampal, Robert Mann, Earl Carlyss, Samuel Rhodes, Joel Krosnick
• Orchestra: Juilliard String Quartet
• Composer: Friedrich Kuhlau
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026NN
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,168 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 1 in D major: 1. Allegro

2. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 1 in D major: 2. Menuetto: Allegro con spirito

3. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 1 in D major: 3. Adagio ma non troppo

4. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 1 in D major: 4. Finale: Allegro assai

5. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 2 in E major: 1. Adagio ma non troppo: Allegro agitato

6. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 2 in E major: 2. Menuetto: Allegro assai

7. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 2 in E major: 3. Andante

8. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 2 in E major: 4. Finale: Allegro

9. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 3 in A major: 1. Allegro con fuoco

10. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 3 in A major: 2. Scherzo: Allegro assai quasi presto

11. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 3 in A major: 3. Adagio sostenuto

12. Quintets (3) for flute, violin, 2 violas & cello, Op. 51: No. 3 in A major: 4. Finale: Vivace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CHARMING, DISARMING MUSIC OF KUHLAU, November 8, 2000

By 

Melvyn M. Sobel "Melvyn M. Sobel" (Freeport, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kuhlau: Flute Quintets (Audio CD)

Danish composer, Friedrich Kuhlau (1786-1832), was no slouch when it came to writing flute compositions! [GROVE'S lists no less than thirty.] And, ready for this? Kuhlau didn't even play the flute; his instrument was the piano, the number of compositions for which is over seventy. Then, of course, there are his stage/vocal and orchestral works to consider. Blah, blah, blah. So, actually, one might say that he was no slouch relative to anything musical. And he was well-regarded in his own time as one of Denmark's foremost composers. And yet, chances are you've never heard of him or dabbled in his music.

Well, these quintets are easy to enjoy. You will be taken immediately by the bubbly outer movement Allegros, the engagingly piquant melancholy that threads throughout the Andantes and Adagios, and the arrestingly modern tension sprinkled gingerly in the Menuettos. This is music of great charm, wit and quality.

Rampal gives a most unusually dedicated, singing reading here; he sparkles with a virtuosity that sheds light on the music, and his phrasing is exemplary in the many tender moments. His interplay with the Julliard, too, is never self-serving. They, as well, are in top form. Fine, full sound supports the artists, with Rampal's tonal color captured beautifully.

[Running time: 74:48]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KUHLAU IN HIS ELEMENT, January 23, 2009

By 

Terry J. Lehane - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kuhlau: Flute Quintets (Audio CD)

In his time FRIEDRICH KUHLAU (1786-1832) was known as "The Beethoven of the Flute". He profitted much from his friendship with Beethoven. Born in Germany, Kuhlau studied pianoforte in Hamburg. In 1810 he fled to København (Copenhagen) to avoid conscription in Napoleon's army. He became a Danish citizen in 1813.
I first fell in love with the Overture to Kuhlau's Elverøj "Elf Hill" as a boy. It is Denmark's national opera. I remember hearing Kuhlau's Flute Quintets back in the LP days and promising that one day I would own them. Now 50 years later I finally have them. My high opinion has not changed. These Quintets represents the premier flute composer at his inventive best. Strongly recommended. The performances are no less than you would expect from Rampal and the Julliard.