Known to his contemporaries as 'the Beethoven of the flute', Friedrich Kuhlau took much inspiration from the master of Bonn, who was a major influence on his work. The two even met in Vienna in 1825, an encounter which was a resounding success and during which they improvised canons.

Kuhlau’s output for the flute comprises over 60 works – an impressive total for a composer who was not a flautist himself. His friend and colleague Bruun was a great help in this respect, being the essential first pair of eyes on all of Kuhlau’s compositions for the instrument.

The unusual scoring of the flute quintets – using flute, violin, two violas and a cello – gives a great richness to the sound, due to the presence of the three lower‐register instruments. The flute essentially takes the role of first violin rather than soloist, becoming an integral part of the structure and development of each of these elegant works.

Flautist Ginevra Petrucci joins the internationally acclaimed Kodály Quartet for the recording.