PIANO-FORTE AND FLUTE.

  1. OVERTURE to Fidelio, arranged for two Flutes and Piano, by J. CLINTON and A. BRAND. (Wessel and Co.)
  2. CARAFA’s AIR, ‘O cara Memoria,’ with concertante Variations by J. CZERNY. Op. 16. (Hill.)
  3. INTRODUCTION and VARIATIONS on the Romance in WEBER’s Euryanthe, by F. KUHLAU. (Hill.)

The first of the above is the overture in E now played, not that originally written for the opera. Considered as arranged for the piano-forte, with accompaniments for two flutes, there is nothing ridiculous in this,—indeed the effect of it is good; but when called a trio, a smile is drawn from us:—the overture to Fidelio as a trio for two flutes and piano!

No. 2 makes a very charming duet, requiring two players of the better kind, whose execution is neat rather than brilliant. M. J. Czerny has put an Introduzione to this, and added five variations, all of which, the finale excepted, are in character with the air, and will not disappoint expectation.

In No. 3, M. Kuhlau has proved how difficult it is to avoid the snares of fashion. He here succumbed to the prevailing depravity of taste, and wrote what may be called clever variations to Weber’s Romance, but certainly not appropriate ones. The whole of this demands two expert performers, whose time may be much better employed than in overcoming obstacles that are not worth conquering.