Joachim Andersen (1847–1909) charted an exceptionally diverse path in his career. At the heart of it, he stood as a founding member of the Berlin  Philharmonic, adroitly balancing roles as a conductor and a solo flautist of great renown. His legacy includes the composition of eight volumes of études, a musical treasure now considered a cornerstone of the flute repertoire.

On 17 November a new double CD with works for flute and piano, recorded by Alena Walentin and Berit Johansen Tange, will be released. Pre-save the album here. 

International connections

While today Joachim Andersen is primarily a well-known name among flutists, in his time he was a central figure in mid-European musical life. He was a founding member of the Berlin Philharmonic, had close friendships with leading figures like Tchaikovsky, Anton Rubinstein and Hans von Bülow, and in Paris he became known as ‘the Chopin of the Flute’, evidencing Andersen’s remarkable status in the city.

The international environment that Andersen was a part of, resonates in the music on the new album. In many of his smaller character pieces, we hear the inspiration from a group of contemporaries, including Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Anton Rubinstein, and also a tonal language that lies on the border between French late Romanticism and Impressionism. But Andersen's Nordic roots can also be traced in the shape of a special Nordic tone showing inspiration from Johans Svendsen and Grieg, whose Lyric Pieces stood on every piano in his time.

Delicate works for flute and piano

Andersen emerges as a composer deeply rooted in his era, a sentiment vividly expressed through the enchanting and emotionally resonant works for flute and piano. The music has a Romantic and melodic character, with a certain melancholy and sadness dwelling in many of his pieces.

In contrast to the work of many other ‘flute composers’, Andersen’s piano parts is finely worked out and clearly shows that he played the piano well himself. In some works, the piano part is so prominent and delicately shaped that it is a piece for piano and flute, rather than the other way around.

The delicate music for piano and flute is recorded by Alena Walentin, who has quickly established herself as one of the most versatile and active flautists of her generation. She is accompanied by pianist Berit Johansen Tange, who is both an acknowledged accompanist and well known for her work with the music of Rued Langgaard.

Single releases

Two releases will be released prior to the album: On Friday 3 November one can hear La Resignation, Op. 22, with a beautifully shaped flute melody and lulling piano accompaniment, and on 10 November the charming etude Album-Blatt, Op. 19 will be released.