Floating Bohemian Flute Concertos, with BASIL RAMSEY Koch Schwann    3-1228-2

The mannered approach to composition of innumerable composers of the 18th century is a close shave from the three here -- Franz Krommer, Johann Baptist Vanhal, and Antonio Rosetti. Fortunately they have a touch more sparkle than some. Bruno Meier's flute floats their solo lines most agreeably [listen -- track 1, 2:02-3:02]. Nonetheless, you need to accept a measure of conventional figuration from all three which breaks out of standard patterning every so often. It has always seemed perverse to me that composers of whatever period who fall back on routine decoration are giving posterity a sure sign of weakness, and therefore an 'own goal' signal. Much of the pleasure here is for the performers' attentive and polished playing.

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