Franz and Karl Doppler: Fantaisie sur des motifs hongrois
Franz Doppler: Andante et Rondo, Op. 25
Franz Doppler: Chanson d'amour, Op. 20
Friedrich Kuhlau: Trio for piano and 2 flutes in G, Op. 119
Franz Doppler: Fantaisie pastorale hongroise, Op. 26
Franz and Karl Doppler: Rigoletto fantaisie, Op. 38
Franz Doppler: Duettino américain, Op. 37

Somewhat like the hundreds of Piano Exercises and Etudes by Carl Czerny which are only widely known to pianists, the music of the Doppler Brothers who toured throughout Europe as a flute duo, is predominantly popular within the flutist community. Flutist par excellence Noémi Györi, along with conductor as well as flutist Gergely Madaras plan to draw this music out of the wings and set it center stage with this new recording featuring some of their best works for flute duo or solo, with piano accompaniment.

Primarily meant to challenge and demonstrate a musician's abilities, virtuosity and musicianship, not unlike Paganini's music for violin or Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies for piano, these pieces are also fine examples of 19th century composition. The booklet notes point out: "In the early 1840s, Franz Doppler joined the orchestra of the Hungarian National Theatre. In 1858 he moved to Vienna, becoming principal flautist of the Court Opera, and from 1865, he taught flute at the Vienna Conservatory as well. He is also known today for his published orchestral arrangements of 6 Hungarian Rhapsodies by Franz Liszt." The performers involved in this recording, including pianist Alexander Ullman, not only display their technical chops with pinpoint accuracy and timing, but also bring out the music's charms with highly expressive phrasing and individual touches as well and by doing so, remove the "restricted to flute enthusiasts only" label attached to it.

I've reviewed a few of Noémi Györi's recordings in the past, including the music of Antonio Maria Nava, Haydn and Mozart Flute Quartets, and collections titled Transforming Traditions and Glowing Sonorities. And for good reason. Not only is Noémi Györi a committed ambassador-at-large for the instrument, always on the lookout for new works to unearth and reveal to the public, but she also does it all with the utmost level of musicianship.