Friedrich II.

Flute Sonatas

The musical works of Frederick the Great (1712-1786) were not permitted to be published during his lifetime. They have still not all been published to this dayand their study can be considered as incomplete. Hundreds of works filled the programs of the regular evening chamber concerts. Two copies of each composition guaranteed that the entire collection was available wherever the king was in residence. According to contemporary musicians, the king was an outstanding flutist who played for several hours every day and who even had instruments, notes and musicians sent to him during his military campaigns. IThe edition presented here which marks the start of a series of pieces for the flute by Frederick the Great, contains a figured bass realization and also a scarcely figured bass line as in the original version which also shows the melodic part on top for the well-practised continuo player.