Firma Melodiya presents recordings by Alexander Korneyev, an outstanding flautist, People’s Artist of the RSFSR and laureate of the State Prize of Russia.

A world known soloist, Korneyev won the recognition primarily as a concert musician. He performed with well-known musicians such as Lev Oborin, Ivan Kozlovsky, Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Mstislav Rostropovich and the Beethoven Quartet. A soloist of the Big Symphony Orchestra of All-Union Radio for many years, he played under the leadership of some of the most prominent maestros and at times performed as a symphony and chamber conductor himself. He also realized performing versions of a number of flute compositions.

The musician’s concert repertoire was extraordinary extensive, from early baroque to contemporary composers. He made dozens of recordings released on vinyl and CD. This album features one of the gems performed by Korneyev, a peak of baroque flute – six sonatas for flute and harpsichord, and the partita for solo flute by J S Bach.

Most evidently, Bach composed his flute works along with other chamber opuses in Köthen during 1717 to 1723. At the time, the composer focused on solo and ensemble instrumental music. Arguably, two of the six sonatas (BWV 1031, 1033) were penned by his son Carl Philipp Emanuel who later served at the court of Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia, a big lover of the flute.

The part of harpsichord was performed by a remarkable ensemble musician, People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Bakhchiev. The recordings were made in 1971 and 1974.