Karl Kaiser, Michael Schneider, La Stagione Frankfurt - Carl Friedrich Abel: 4 Flute Concertos (1994)

Abel published quite a few chamber works with flute, meeting the demand for new music by the many gentleman flutists in England. The flute concertos contained here, despite their opus number, were never published, but are found in a manuscript held in Leipzig which can be dated prior to 1759. Stylistically these works have left the Baroque far behind, with regular phrases, simple basses , broad harmonic movement. The melodies make ample use of lombardic rhythms and syncopations and the florid passaggi sparkles with triplets and scalar passages in sixteenths. Though there are occasional harmonic complications which recall Abel's background, the overall tone here is that of the Enlightenment. Who can Abel have written these works for?
These are premieres, and I have no hesitation in recommending Karl Kaiser and La Stagione. Kaiser elicits a beatiful tone from his instrument from top to bottom, liquid and expressive in the adagios, and the allegros sparkle. The balance between the flute and the strings is fine. Warmly recommended.
The orchestra La Stagione Frankfurt has for many years been counted among the most successful ensembles in the field of authentic music performance. The versatility of the ensemble's director Michael Schneider on the one hand and the artistic flexibility of each of the musicians on the other, enable a convincing and authentic performance of a wide spectrum of works from the areas of baroque opera and oratorios through classical symphonic works to the performance of important pieces of the 20th century. It is the discovery and performance of lesser known musical gems by composers such as F.I. Beck, A. Stradella, A. Scarlatti, I. Holzbauer and the sons of Bach coupled with the stimulating and authentic interpretation of the standard repertoire which characterises the artistic intention of La Stagione. Performing regularly with well-known vocal and instrumental soloists, the invitations to important European festivals and concert venues as well as the numerous highly regarded recordings attest to the high reputation of La Stagione Frankfurt.