Wilhelm Anton Lütgen
Notturno for 2 Flutes and 2 Horns
W. A. Lütgen is unfortunately one of those composers about whom very little biographical information survives. He is probably identical with Wilhelm Anton Lütgen, also spelled Lüttgen (1781–1857), a violinist, composer, and music teacher active in Cologne. His best-known work is likely the Horn Quartet op. 19 (published around 1835 by Mompour in Bonn), which remains a staple of the horn quartet repertoire today and has been recorded on CD several times.
Several chamber works for string instruments by Lütgen have also survived. In 1835 the publisher Mompour announced a Divertissement for 3 Horns, op. 11, which has now been newly edited as ROM 162. This was followed in 1836 by a Quartet for Horn, Violin, Viola and Cello, op. 30 (ROM 092).
Notturno for 2 Flutes and 2 Horns
Notturno — a "night piece" — is how the composer W. A. Lütgen described his set of four movements for the unusual combination of 2 flutes and 2 horns. The title suits the work well, as it was clearly conceived as an evening serenade. This Notturno was published in 1818 by Schott. It is scored for natural horns and, presumably, simple one-keyed transverse flutes.
The work was reviewed briefly in the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung of Leipzig in March 1819:
"Here one finds four movements of moderate length: 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; they keep the players engaged without tiring them or making great demands on their technique; they are entertaining (the second and fourth movements perhaps most of all), and are as suitable for amateurs of moderate skill as for musicians wishing to perform something light and lively before a mixed audience."
Performed on historically appropriate instruments, the sonic charm of this "night piece" should unfold fully.
