Salonstücke (Salon Pieces) for Flute and Piano, Op52

These lovely pieces are just right for a first introduction to the Romantic style of flute writing in the second half of the 19th century. Not all Andersen's compostions are full of notes and the opening Melodie shows that he could really pen a beautiful tune. The E major Idyll is particularly striking with its fluctuating rhythms and sweeping phrases and the Jagdstuck has all the rumbustious sounds of the hunt. The most difficult in the set is the Intermezzo, a substantial vivace movement which will take some playing but generally the pieces here are all very approachable. It is strange to think that he wrote such sunny music at a time of great personal difficulty - worth buying for that reason alone I think!