Ernesto Köhler

Allegro Moderato from Grand Quartet in C Major, op. 92

Ernesto Köhler (1849-1907), born in Modena, Italy, had his first music lessons with his flutist father. In 1869 Ernesto moved to Vienna, and in 1871 to St. Petersburg, Russia, where he eventually became Principal Flutist in the Imperial Russian Opera, the highest position under the Czar available to a flutist. In addition to many works featuring the flute, he composed an opera and several ballets, and his progressively difficult 35 Exercises for Flute, op. 33, are still recommended to flute students.

--March 9, 2008 (Arioso Flute Quartet)