Music for Flute and Guitar, including a Handel Sonata

This album showcases the talents of flautist Dinah Pounds accompanied by her husband – the composer and guitarist, Adam. In these pieces the guitar acts as the continuo providing the bass line and chordal progressions for the music. It is important to recall that this was not written out in full, but in shorthand. The continuo is subject to interpretation by the player. Instruments used for this purpose included the organ, harpsichord, lute, cello, bassoon and guitar. These can be interchangeable. On this disc, the guitar acts as a perfect companion to the flute. 

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1751) was an Italian violinist and composer. He wrote a vast amount of music, including dozens of operas, concertos, symphonies and countless sonatas for a variety of instrumental combinations. Interestingly, J.S. Bach used several of Albinoni’s themes in his own compositions. The liner notes give no clue as to what A minor sonata this is. In fact, it is the sixth number from 12 Trattenimenti armonici op.6 dated around 1711. It would appear to have originally been composed for violin and bass continuo. This delightful Sonata is presented in four contrasting movements.  

Next up, is by JSB.  It has been suggested that the Sonata in C major, BWV 1033 may be a joint work between Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and his father.  Certainly, the earliest manuscript is in Carl’s hand. It is usually dated to around 1731. This is a splendid Sonata that defies historical analysis.

The Fitzwilliam Sonatas by Handel were so-called because the musicologist Thurston Dart found the surviving manuscripts in the Fitzwilliam Library in Cambridge. The  full title is Sonata in D minor, HWV 367a. There are seven movements in this work, however the liner notes state that the third, a Furioso, has been omitted due to the unsuitability of the continuo for guitar. The last two movements, an Andante and A Tempo di Minuet are also omitted. They would seem to have been added by an editor. This sonata features all the charm that we would expect from Handel. 

Jean-Philippe Rameau was a French composer and theorist best known for his operas. In his younger years he did compose some instrumental works. The present Suite is an arrangement of several his pieces by Adam Pounds: Prelude, Gavotte I and II, Contredanse and Passepied I and II. These were all written around 1745. The booklet notes do not give the original sources of these movements. That said, this Suite is appealing and well-balanced.

The final work in this CD is Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Flute Sonata in D major. Although not stated in the liner notes, this is commonly numbered H.561 and was probably composed in Berlin in 1747.  It is vibrant and admirably suited to the present instrumental combination. Look out for some enchanting modulations as the music proceeds.

I have hinted above that the liner notes are very light on detail. Dates of composition (where known or surmised) are not given. In Albinoni’s case there is more than one “A minor sonata”. The track listing is difficult to read, with the font printed on top of a black and white picture. Finally, at 47 minutes, this CD is a bit short. That said, this is reflected in the price of £7.00.
I enjoyed the music on this disc. The present arrangement is a happy combination of flute and guitar that makes for pleasant and enjoyable listening.
The playing is excellent, and the repertoire is well chosen. There is nothing challenging to the listener. Just sheer enjoyment. What more can we ask for?

Track Listing:
Tomaso Giovanni ALBINONI (1671-1750/1) Sonata in A minor from 12 Trattenimenti armonici op.6 no.6 (c.1711)
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonata in C major, BWV 1033 (c.1731)
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) “Fitzwilliam Sonata” in D minor, HWV 367a, (c.1725)
Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Suite for flute and guitar (Arranged by Adam Pounds, b.1954) (?)
Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Flute Sonata in D major, H561 (1747)
Dinah Pounds (flute), Adam Pounds (guitar continuo)
Rec. St Philip’s Church Cambridge 17 October 2020; April 2013 (Rameau)
CAMBRIDGE RECORDINGS CAMREC008 [47:00]
This CD can be ordered from Adam Pound’s webpage.