Joachim Andersen (1847–1909) charted an exceptionally diverse path in his career. At the heart of it, he stood as a founding member of the Berlin Philharmonic, adroitly balancing roles as a conductor and a solo flautist of great renown. His legacy includes the composition of eight volumes of études, now considered a cornerstone of the flute repertoire. Andersen emerges as a composer deeply rooted in his era, a sentiment vividly expressed through the enchanting and emotionally resonant tapestry of his works for flute and piano. This essence springs to life in these performances, impeccably interpreted by Alena Walentin and Berit Johansen Tange.

Today, Joachim Andersen is especially remembered for his concert études for solo flute. This large musical treasure constitutes an indispensable core in a flautist’s development of both musical and techincal skills.

Andersen was a founder member of the Berlin Philharmonic, where he worked as a conductor and as a highly regarded solo flautist. In Paris he became known as ‘the Chopin of the Flute’.

In Andersen’s first Impromptu, op.7 (publ. 1883), it is already apparent that he had found his own style and mode of expression. A certain sadness dwells in many of his smaller character pieces, with inspiration from the contemporaries Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Anton Rubinstein.

We also find a special Nordic tone in his smaller compositions, showing inspiration from Johan Svendsen and Grieg, whose collections of Lyric Pieces stood on every piano in the years up to the turn of the century.

The Fantaisies nationales are variations based on well-known folk melodies from Denmark, Russia and Sweden.

This double-CD is recorded by flautist Alena Walentin, who has quickly established herself as one of the most versatile flautists of her generation. She is accompanied by pianist Berit Johansen Tange, best known for her intense work with the music of Rued Langgaard.