Beethoven Flute Sonatas

The Franco-Dutch flutist and conductor Louis Drouet (1792-1873) was one of the great soloists of his day. Born in Amsterdam, he began his career at the court of Louis Bonaparte, then king of Holland. The King was so impressed with the 15-year-old flautist that he presented him with a crystal flute by the famous Parisian maker Claude Laurent, a flute which today belongs to the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Drouet was later appointed to the court of Napoleon in Paris. Drouet quickly developed an international solo career, performing in much of Europe and even in the United States. With his friend, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, he made concert tours to London and Paris in 1828 and 1829.

This album was preceded by a great number of concerts, allowing us to delve deeper and deeper into the amazing world of Beethoven. We do not see this recording as an end to our journey, but merely as a stop along the way. In the years to come, we will surely play beautiful and inspiring music by other composers, but the rich music of Ludwig van Beethoven will continue moving with us. And changing with us.

As it should. Never a dull moment with 
Beethoven!
Raymond Honing