On Playing the Flute

Johann Joachim Quantz

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Year: 2011
• eBook ISBN:
  9780571261055
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Classical Music

Johann Joachim Quantz's On Playing the Flute has long been recognized as one of the primary sources of information about eighteenth-century performance practice. In spite of its title, it is not simply a tutor for the flute, but a fully-fledged programme for training musicians of all types, with detailed information on intonation, ornamentation, dynamics, the 'duties' of the various accompanying performers, including the leader of the orchestra, and the principal forms and styles (French, Italian and German) of the time. Although Quantz is most often identified as the teacher of Frederick the Great, his musical roots were in Dresden, the most brilliant musical establishment in Germany; and his travels and studies in Italy, France and England gave him direct experience of most phases of European musical life in the 1720s and 30s.

This reissue of the second edition provides a wonderfully complete and detailed picture of musical taste and performance practice in the 18th century, and includes a new introduction by Professor Reilly, drawing attention to recent research on Quantz. Whether you want to learn to play the flute and be taught by the teacher of Frederick the Great, or just to gain a first-hand insight into the history of classical music, On Playing the Fluteis an essential and entertaining read.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• ILLUSTRATIONS
• INTRODUCTION
• INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW EDITION
• INTRODUCTION TO THE REISSUE
• PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION
• ESSAY OF A METHOD FOR PLAYING The Transverse Flute,
• Dedication
• PREFACE
• INTRODUCTION : Of the Qualities Required of Those Who Would Dedicate Themselves to Music
• CHAPTER I : Short History and Description of the Transverse Flute
• CHAPTER II : Of Holding the Flute, and Placing the Fingers
• CHAPTER III : Of the Fingering or Application,1 and the Gamut or Scale of the Flute
• CHAPTER IV : Of the Embouchure1
• CHAPTER V : Of Notes, their Values, Metre, Rests, and Other Musical Signs
• CHAPTER VI : Of the Use of the Tongue in Blowing upon the Flute
• CHAPTER VII : Of Taking Breath, in the Practice of the Flute
• CHAPTER VIII : Of the Appoggiaturas,1 and the Little Essential Graces2 Related to Them
• CHAPTER IX : Of Shakes
• CHAPTER X : What a Beginner Must Observe in His Independent Practice
• CHAPTER XI : Of Good Execution in General in Singing and Playing
• CHAPTER XII : Of the Manner of Playing the Allegro
• CHAPTER XIII : Of Extempore Variations1 on Simple Intervals
• CHAPTER XIV : Of the Manner of Playing the Adagio
• CHAPTER XV : Of Cadenzas
• CHAPTER XVI : What a Flautist Must Observe if he Plays in Public Concerts
• CHAPTER XVII : Of the Duties of Those Who Accompany or Execute the Accompanying or Ripieno Parts Associated with a Concertante Part
• CHAPTER XVIII : How a Musician and a Musical Composition Are to Be Judged
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• APPENDIX
• BIBLIOGRAPHY II : Additional Books and Articles
• BIBLIOGRAPHY III : Supplementary Lists of Quantz’s Compositions, in Manuscript, Eighteenth-Century, and Modern Editions
• INDEX OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MATTERS
• About the Author
• Copyright