Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the flute was the wind instrument most played by amateurs and virtuosos. Thanks to the flute’s popularity, countless instruments, flute compositions, and flute methods were produced, many of which are still preserved today. The flute itself has undergone a great evolution; flute players and makers adapted it to the steadily changing prevailing musical taste. With the instrument, its performance practice changed as well. Musical rules were established and adapted, some of them visible in the scores, others applied by the musicians. These changes are reflected in the ca. 150 flute methods published between 1760 and 1850.</jats:p> <jats:p>This book sheds light on the complex world of the flute and its performance practice in the classical and early romantic period. It provides the reader with all information needed to perform the repertoire of that time in a historically informed and inspired way. Primary sources such as instruments, printed and manuscript scores, methods, concert reviews, and various other written documents build the basis of the work. The book contains theoretical information and practical guidelines illustrated by numerous musical examples. It also includes the history of each of the most common keys of the simple system flute, from a theoretical and practical perspective. Artistic biographies of selected flute players and makers complete the picture.</jats:p>