In the 1976 flute sonata, theres an . . . The flute is the star, but in the outer movements the piano is not just accompanimental it is essential to the musics melodic as well as harmonic development. The first wind quintet, written in 1974 and tinkered with until 1988, is a 16-minute work that is brightly confident in its dedication to tonality, in keeping with Baksas Classical Interests, the last movement is full of gentle, Haydenesque humor. The 1972 quartet for piano and winds, once past an introduction of Romantic lyricism, is pervaded by a Mozartean spirit, particularly in the keyboard writing. The sympathetic performances are by East Coast pros, including the principal wind players of the Atlantic Sinfonietta.
Some tape edits that are obvious over headphones stride right by the loudspeakers.
These days people like Baksa can write tonal, traditional music with little fear of ridicule from a weakened avant-garde establishment. How nice that his time has finally come, without his having to be dead a century. This is a beautiful, lush, big romantic work for flutists. It is as lovely and intertwined as Schumann. A three movement work with two big cadenzas beginning both the 2nd and 3rd movements, this is a skillfully crafted piece for both flute and piano, and allows the flutist plenty of opportunity for lyrical, expressive playing.