An extraordinary concert is going to be held at the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine on November 6. Flute is a unique instrument, which has long been played by gods and kings. The most famous crowned flutist was a Prussian monarch, a prominent commander Frederick the Great (1712-86), who hadn’t parted with his flute even during military campaigns! The works from his repertoire will be performed at the Philharmonic Society by famous musicians – flutist Yurii Shutko and pianist Yurii Kot.
We know that, despite being busy with state affairs, Frederick the Great had paid attention daily to playing the flute. His instruments were made of ivory, amber, and various types of wood. His favorite of those was an ebony flute. The style of Prussian monarch’s music performance was marked by a rather loud, yet refined sound.
“In Frederick’s works, it is the slower parts – adagio – which are the most beautiful. As noted by musicians contemporary to him, he played these parts with great originality, expression, and style,” said Yurii Shutko to The Day. “Thanks to the painting by biographer artist Adolf von Menzel A Flute Concert at Sanssouci, we can see how Frederick the Great’s performances among monarchs and relatives looked like. Notably, the picture shows the accompanist next to the King-flutist – Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach playing on harpsichord. He was one of the most famous sons of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who once visited Frederick the Great. For the sake of meeting him, the king abandoned all his urgent business. A month later, Bach sent him the “Musical Offering” – a series of several polyphonic pieces, written on themes suggested by the king.
The king’s constant teacher in playing the flute was famous musician Johann Joachim Quantz, who wrote 300 flute concertos (lengthy works for a soloist with an orchestra) for Frederick. The famous Czech composer and violinist Frantisek Benda led the king’s chamber orchestra, which performed not only flute music, but also works by Telemann and Handel. For this orchestra, Frederick the Great ordered instruments, built by best Italian masters – Stradivari and Amati. Subsequently, this court orchestra became the basis for a larger orchestra at the Berlin opera.
Every piece of music from Frederick’s repertoire amazes by its elegance and bright cheerful melodies. And now, 230 years after the King of Prussia has died, this music will sound in Ukraine.
