Flute Quartets KV 285
KV 285a
KV 285b
KV 298

Mozart’s four flute quartets date from the 1770s and 1780s. Those in D (K285) and G (K285a) are probably products of a Mannheim commission, while the C major (K285b) and A major (K298) Quartets belong to the early to mid-1780s when Mozart was in Vienna.

Mozart’s flute quartets are central to the classical flute repertoire. The fact that Mozart held the instrument in rather low regard did not stop him from writing some of his loveliest music for it. The composer’s characteristic charm, wit, beauty, and elegance are in evidence throughout. The flute imposed itself undeniably as solo instrument in these scores imbued with concertante writing and the gallant style characteristic of the taste of the Mannheim court at that time.

The present recording with Barthold Kuijken dated from the early 1980s and is regarded as one the most beautiful interpretations of these works.

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reedycja, rec. 1982