Ludwig van Beethoven - Early Works for Flute and Piano (Johannes Hustedt; Sontraud Speidel)

Information

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

• Sonata in G Major after String Trio No. 3, Op. 9 No. 1 (arr. Friedrich Hermann)
• Serenade in D Major, Op. 41
• Serenade in D Major, Op. 8 (arr. Friedrich Hermann)
• Sonatina in C Major, WoO 44a: Allegro (arr. Johannes Hustedt)

Johannes Hustedt, flute

Sontraud Speidel, piano

Date: 2026

Label: audite Musikproduktion

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Beethoven – Early Works for Flute and Piano continues a recording series by audite dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven’s works for this instrumentation. While the first volume focused on late compositions, this double album explores his early Viennese period, highlighting the flute as a central expressive voice rather than an optional addition. The program includes both Beethoven’s own revised versions and arrangements by Friedrich Hermann, offering insight into the historical reception of his music. Together, the series presents a diverse and comprehensive overview of Beethoven’s output for flute and piano.

Johannes Hustedt is a German flautist known for his global performances and commitment to cultural exchange through music. A graduate of the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe, where he studied with Renate Greiss-Armin, Hustedt has also trained under renowned flautists such as Aurèle Nicolet and Alain Marion. His artistry blends interpretation and improvisation, informed by music traditions from Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe, as well as historical performance practice. He performs internationally, premieres contemporary works, and has released acclaimed recordings. A professor in Karlsruhe, he directs Baden-Württemberg’s largest classical open-air concert and co-founded Kunsthaus-Durlach with his wife, Chai Min Werner.

Sontraud Speidel is a distinguished German pianist and professor at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. A student of renowned teachers including Irene Slavin and Géza Anda, she won major prizes such as the International Bach Competition in Washington, D.C., and the Jackson Prize for New Music. Her international career spans concerts, recordings, premieres, and masterclasses across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond. Speidel is known for championing contemporary music, with several composers dedicating works to her. She founded initiatives supporting young musicians and has received numerous honors, including the Federal Cross of Merit and the 2025 Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg.