Magdalena Pilch - Flauto Brillante - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The title of the record emphasizes the role of the flute in the repertoire, while at the same time makes references to the brillante style, which developed in piano music in the first half of the 19th century. It's distinguishable features can be found in the works presented on this record. The brillante style grew out of the tradition of the keyboard music of C. Ph. E. Bach and W. A. Mozart, and it's main representatives were J. N. Hummel, C. M. von Weber, J. Field, F. Kalkbrenner, Z. Thalberg and F. R. Ries. A significant factor which enabled it's development were the improvements in the construction of the grand piano, which allowed for the performing of masterly figurations and passages. The rise of the brillante was described by J. Chominski and K. Wilkowska-Chominska in the following way As the name itself suggests, it was characterized by the brilliance of play with bringing to the fore the difficulties regarding performance and technique. It was created by virtuosos of the grand piano, who wished to show off with their play. The style was developing in the early decades of the 19th century, which was the time when the affluent bourgeoisie extended the group of eager viewers and listeners. Many a time did the performances of the competing virtuosos resemble modern sports competitions. The play of the artists was evaluated from two points of view the technical skilfulness and the ability to conduct cantilena. The basic features of the brillante style were therefore the presence of brilliant figurations and cantilena sections. The style also brought about some changes to the formal conception of the works. The typical phenomenon was, for example, the reversal of the classical characteristics of the themes of the sonata form in the brillante, the first theme was often characterized by cantilena and the second by figuration. The second theme could have been just