Johannes Amon (1763-1825):
Quintet No. 1 in F major op 110, Quintet No. 2 in E minor op 118

Federigo Fiorillo (1755-1823[?]):
Quintet in F major

Johann Michael Mettenleiter (1791-1859):
Quintet in F major

Giovanni Punto (1746-1803, born Jan Václav Stich) was one of the greatest horn virtuosos of the period around 1800. He led a life of adventure, fleeing from serfdom and forced to hide from the bailiffs, concealing his identity through the Italianisation of his name. The horn became the focal point of his professional career as soloist, director of music, arranger and teacher. Among his pupils was Johannes Amon (1763-1825) who also expressed his love of the French horn in his own compositions and in turn passed on his inspiration to Johann Michael Mettenleiter (1791- 1859), thereby helping to add a number of treasured works to the horn repertoire.

The combination of horn with transverse flute and strings is particularly attractive as presented by the Compagnia di Punto on their CD which includes three works by composers associated with the name-giver of their ensemble. These compositions provide a perfect showcase for the great sonority of the horn in all its registers, displaying a fascinating tonal blend with the accompanying instruments ranging from a gossamer delicacy to orchestral dimensions.