Franz Danzi - Flute Quintets Op. 50 (Ardinghello Ensemble)

Information

Composer: Franz Danzi

• Quintet No. 1 in E flat major
• Quintet No. 2 in B minor
• Quintet No. 3 in D major

Ardinghello Ensemble

    Karl Kaiser, flute

    Annette Rehberger, violin

    Sebastian Wohlfahrt, viola

    Anna Kaiser, viola

    Johannes Berger, cello

Date: 2026

Label: CPO

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Franz Danzi, the esteemed court conductor at Baden, holds a premier place in wind repertoire, celebrated for his vast catalog of chamber works featuring the flute. Bridging the gap between the Classical era and early Romanticism, Danzi’s Three Flute Quintets, Op. 50 showcase his refined craft across four string players and flute. Following a recent release of his Op. 71 Trios, this modern collection captures the full spectrum of his style—ranging from the lighthearted, gallant charm of the E-flat major quintet to the darker, evocative nuance of the B minor work. The result is a vibrant showcase of Danzi's melodic mastery.

Cellist and composer Franz Danzi (1763–1826) was a central figure of the late Classical era, shaped by his roots in the famed Mannheim orchestra and his studies under Abt Vogler. Throughout a distinguished career as Kapellmeister in Munich, Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe, Danzi championed the operas of his contemporary Carl Maria von Weber while maintaining a remarkably prolific output. His compositions span over 18 stage works—primarily German Singspiele—as well as sacred choral music, concertos, and keyboard pieces. Today, he is best remembered for his diverse chamber works, which showcase his classical elegance and inventive instrumentation for strings and woodwinds.

Founded in Freiburg in 2012, the Ardinghello Ensemble draws its name from Wilhelm Heinse's 1789 utopian novel. While initially established as a flute, violin, viola, and cello quartet, the ensemble has expanded its repertoire since 2020 to include string trios, quartets, and mixed quintets. The group focuses on the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, alongside compositions by their Classical and Romantic contemporaries. Collaborating regularly with SWR, the ensemble frequently records for labels such as MDG, cpo, and Brilliant Classics, earning a prestigious Diapason d'Or in 2024 for its recording of Mozart's Flute Quartets.

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