Leopold Hofman's

flute concertos Vol 1

THERE is something wonderfully mesmeric about the high-pitched tones of the flute.

The allegro movements bounce along with a kind of, almost, child-like jollity and the thoughtful, considered, adagio passages offer control and discipline.

Leopold Hofman, one of the Viennese composers and a near contemporary and rival of Haydn, penned 13 of his 60 solo concertos for the flute.

They all have special, if similar qualities, but fortunately for music lovers the standard of the works is consistently high.

This CD from Naxos is volume one of the flutes pieces and features the G major, the best-known D major, the A major and a second D major work.

The compositions are typical of the easy charm and dignity of the Vienna of the day and make for relaxed and easy listening.

The movements have a fine variety and pace and, thoughtfully, Hofman has made an adagio the second movement in every piece, offering periods of calm and tranquility in between periods of more rumbustious activity.

Little is known about three of the four, but the D major has a curious claim to fame.

For more than 200 years it was thought Haydn had composed the concerto. It was not until 1933 that the authorship was finally settled.

The style of them all is light and clear and they reflect, perfectly, the time and place of their inception.

Hofman was careful to ensure the flute was never crowded out by the other musicians and, with this CD, soloist Kazunori Seo and the Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, conducted by Bela Drahos, maintain the balance to perfection.

Naxos: 8.554747