Sonata à 7 Flauti
Last updated: 30.10.19
Composer: J.H. Schmelzer Suppliers: smp_unav15.gif  
Editor: Ernst H. Meyer Septet S/D/A/A/T/T/B
Publisher: Schott & Co. Ltd. Publication: Schott 10105
The "Sonata à 7 Flauti" by Johann Heinrich Schmelzer is one of four works recommended by Glenis Cole, then music teacher at the Christopher Whitehead Girls School, Worcester in April 1982 for possible use by "The Schwanewede Recorder Consort" which was then on a 2-week tour in Worcester/Hereford, England. After on or two attempts, this soon proved to be well beyond the capabilities of such a youthful group of modest talents. On my return to Germany, this was underlined when I had the good fortune to hear and tape an NDR broadcast (first broadcast in 1968) of the Collegium Musicum, Bremen playing this work under the baton of Lothar Stöbel. (At that time, I could not possibly imagine that almost twenty years later that I too would do a little music-making with the Collegium Musicum - but that's beside the point!)
The first hearing had an unforgettable electrifying effect on me as the hairs on my neck rose and ever since then I have dreamed of playing this one day with some group or other. The music has been languishing in my possession since 1982 and it is still my ambition some day to play it.
According to Ernst H. Meyer's notes, this sonata for seven recorders and bass is the only known example of a piece of old music composed for this combination. It was certainly given for some special occasion and it must be considered music for amateurs rather than professionals. There is no evidence that it was composed for court. The only existing copy of this piece is in the Royal University Library at Uppsala, Sweden; it is indeed possible that it was intended for performance by the students of that town who were very active in the field of instrumental playing.
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