Flute Enchanting

One can use Mozart’s own words to describe his flute quartets: “They are very brilliant, pleasant to the ear, and natural without descending into emptiness; here and there the cognoscenti will be pleased, but even those who are not musical experts must find satisfaction without themselves knowing why.”

However, the circumstances under which these quartets were composed contributed to the impression that Mozart did not like the flute. The German physician F. Dejean had commissioned him to write compositions for solo flute. Mozart took his time, and this annoyed his father and the famous flautist Wendling. Mozart defended himself, saying: “You well know, after all, that I go limp whenever I’m asked to write for an instrument that I can’t stand.” Thus the story of Mozart’s distaste for the flute was born. Still, to put it simply, this is the loveliest chamber music “for experts and amateurs”.