Wilhelm Anton Lütgen
Noctturno for 2 flutes and 2 horns
Unfortunately, W. A. Lütgen is one of the composers with very little biographical evidence. Probably Wilhelm Anton Lütgen, also spelled Lüttgen (1781 - 1857) can be identified here, a violinist, composer and music teacher in Cologne. The best known of his compositions is probably the horn quartet op.19 (published around 1835 by Mompour/Bonn), which is still part of the standard work of many horn quartets today and has already been recorded several times on CD.
There are still a few chamber music works for string instruments by Lütgen. In 1835 the Mompour publishing house announced a divertissement for 3 horns op.11, which was re-edited as ROM 162. A quartet for horn, violin, viola and cello op. 30 (ROM 092) followed in 1836. Notturno for 2 flutes and 2 horns
Notturno - Nachtstück, that's what the composer W. A. Lütgen calls his collection of 4 movements for the unusual instrumentation of 2 flutes and 2 horns. But this description very well describes the use of this work as an evening serenade piece. This Notturno was published in 1818 by Verlag Schott. It is still scored for natural horns and probably simple transverse flutes.
This work is briefly discussed in the Allgemeine Musikalsichen Zeitung from Leipzig in March 1819:
Four movements of moderate length are obtained: an Allegro moderato in D major, a Scherzando in A major, an Andantino and a Polacca in D major. All four are pleasing and melodious; keep the players busy without tiring them or making great demands of them; entertained, (the second and fourth salt probably the most,) and are so lovers of. to be recommended to those with moderate practice, as well as to musicians who are to perform something light and lively in front of mixed groups.
With historically correct instruments, the magical sound of this "night piece" should unfold to the full.
