Johan Helmich Roman

Johan Helmich Roman, “the Father of our nation’s music”, had a great capacity to imitate different national styles. In the twelve flute sonatas we can hear influences from Handel, Lully, Telemann and folk music.

The sonatas, which in the eighteenth century could be played by different combinations of instruments, were often marketed with the violin as the solo instrument; possibly in order to increase the number of potential buyers. In this recording, however, the flute is the solo instrument throughout, but to vary the timbre and further reinforce the character of the sonatas both the cello and the bassoon are used as bass instruments.

Maria Bania is a research student in artistic configuration at the University of Gothenburg, where she is conducting research in flute playing techniques of the 17 and 18th centuries. For this CD she has written the commentary herself. Maria Bania is also active as teacher at the Conservatory in Copenhagen, and she is a member of the Concerto Copenhagen and has, with this ensemble, performed throughout Europe.

Participating musicians are: Maria Bania, flute, Lars Ulrik Mortensen, harpsichord, Jane Grover, bassoon and Thomas Pitt, cello.