August Eberhard Muller Flute Concerto Series continues strong

In his day, August Eberhard Müller had an impressive career. He gave his first performance at the organ when he was just eight years old. He later studied organ with Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, son of Johann Sebastian. In 1804, he was named to J.S.Bach's old post of Thomaskantor, Leipzig. He was also the principal flutist for the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Müller wrote eleven flute concertos between 1794 and 1817. Three of them have been previously released on CPO. And all with Tatjana Ruhland and the Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim. This collection adds three more to the catalog.

Concerto No. 5 in E minor, Op. 19 is the earliest of the three. It was written around 1798 and premiered a year later by the Gewandhaus Orchestra with Müller as soloist. Stylistically, it resembles Mozart, but with a significant difference.

Müller knew well the instrument he was composing for. This work would become a mainstay for touring virtuosos. And it would also become a training piece for student flutists.

Concerto No. 7 in D minor, Op. 22 was composed in 1803. The Concerto No. 8 in F major, Op. 24 two years later. These works show Müller following the same trends as Beethoven (while not sounding like Beethoven at all). Motivic development drives these concertos. Dramatic contrasts are heightened. And these concertos possess a restless energy not found in the elegant E minor concerto.

Tatjana Ruhland delivers another round of fine performances. She has the skill to handle Müller's technical challenges. And her innate musicality keeps the fireworks in check. These concertos are beautifully rendered with nuance and personality.

The Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim directed by Timo Handschuh are worthy partners to Ruhland. The ensemble has a warm, elegant sound. It balances nicely with the solo flute.

I'm assuming there will be at least two more volumes to complete the survey of Müller's flute concertos. For me, those will be releases to look forward to.

August Eberhard Müller: Flute Concertos Nos. 5, 7 & 8
Tatjana Ruhland, flute
Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim; Timo Handschuh, conductor
CPO