Patrick Gallois, Maria Prinz - Mozart: Violin Sonatas Arranged for Flute & Piano (2013) CD-Rip

The late 18th century was a transcription-heavy time, and it would seem that the substitution of a flute for the violin in Mozart's sonatas for violin and piano would be the most natural thing in the world. Yet it doesn't quite work out that way in this release by French flutist Patrick Gallois and Bulgarian pianist Maria Prinz. The music makes a perfectly pleasant impression; Gallois comes from a long line of French players whose tone alone is probably worth the purchase price, and he's got a lovely way with Mozart's melodies. The problem is that he doesn't get to play too many of them. The dominant instrument in these sonatas (except for the Sonata in B flat major, K. 570, of which more in a moment) is the piano. In Mozart's originals the violin is equipped both to handle the variety of accompanimental figures it is given and to take the lead from time to time, but the flute sounds a bit awkward in accompanimental figuration. The K. 570 sonata was clearly specified by Mozart as being "für Klavier allein"; someone later added a violin part to it, and it is this version that is arranged for flute and piano here. The two parts are more balanced, but the entire thing has the flavor of someone adding pencil marks to an Old Master. Still, there's no point at which this release is less than a pleasant listen for commute or party, and flute lovers will find in Gallois a major veteran talent in a great tradition.