Kazunori Seo - Leopold Hofmann: Flute Concertos, Vol. 2 (2001)

Leopold Hofmann ( 1738-1793 )was a composer at the time of Mozart and Haydn, along with some 30 other composers who took musical development from the late Baroque into the Classical Period. Hofmann was born before Mozart, and died after Mozart died. These composer's creations were rarely played after their deaths, because of the absolute genius of Mozart and Haydn. Indeed, until Chandos and Naxos recently recorded many of these lessor known musician's works, most of the world was completely ignorant of their originality and beauty.
Hofmann wrote 60 solo concertos for different instruments over a twety year period, including thirteen for the flute. Hofmann, in his later years, was appointed to the prized position of Kapellmeister at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. Many think that Mozart was a near certainty to gain this appointment, if he had lived long enough.
These concertos begin softly, with a reserved soloist, but never overun by the orchestra. In the second work on this disc, the flutist Seo hits his straps and the result is simply bright and enchanting. The sound is excellent and the whole performance has a very high recommendation.