When learning, practicing or rehearsing baroque pieces all of us have at some stage heard the line "Quantz says that!", from your teacher, fellow student or colleague.

​We have been often intimidated by such a rich and broad (and not always user friendly) treatise on both flute technique and general baroque music style.

Agostino Cirillo, a passionate flutist and Quantz scholar, has taken the time to write a series of articles to help us navigate through this milestone, and its wealth of detailed and exhaustive instructions, and gain a better understanding of the style that was popular in the historical context of Quantz.

Finally, we have an aid that will make our use of the book more straightforward and effective.
The article delves into Johann Joachim Quantz's influence on modern traverso players and his authority in early music performance practice. It begins with a personal encounter with Quantz's book and progresses thorugh his lessons, positioning Quantz within the Early Music Revival and the modern rediscovery of the traverso.​
The article explores Johann Joachim Quantz's journey from an orphaned child to an influential figure at the Prussian court, highlighting his practical musicianship and early exposure to various musical instruments. Quantz's biography displays his substantial contributions to flute repertoire, pedagogy, and musical taste, making him a key figure in the evolution of baroque performance.​
Here the reader will be guided on how to approach Quantz's "Versuch," focusing on recommended editions, starting from the original German or French versions to appreciate the terminology through the seminal Reilly's English edition for its accessibility and historical significance.  A detailed description and step-by-step guide are provided for exploration.​
Embark on a journey through Quantz's flute enhancements, including his second key and pitch and timbre improvements. You'll tackle the challenge of adapting these innovations to modern playing, explore "just" tuning for expressive melody, and engage in practical exercises for ear training and real-time intonation adjustment. This article aims to inspire a harmonically rich, cantabile flute performance, reviving genuine Quantz's flute sound ideals.​
Dive into the subtleties of articulation as outlined in the "Versuch," understanding its connection with inégalité and the French style. Practice single and double tongue techniques, along with staccato, to broaden the expressive capabilities of the flute. Uncover how ornamentation influences style and master crafting variations in Italian style through melodic analysis and basic continuo knowledge, enriching them with French ornaments to achieve the sophisticated mixed style recommended by Quantz.​
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Agostino Cirillo

Born in Milan in 1956, Agostino studied Recorder and Baroque Flute at the Società Italiana del Flauto Dolce and Libera Università di Musica Josquin Desprez in Rome, engaging with Centro Italiano di Musica Antica and attending advanced courses in early music performance with renowned instructors like C. Rufa, S. Preston, W. Hazelzet, B. Kuijken. He moved to Spain in 1986, dedicating himself to teaching, research, and musical activities. Achieving a Doctorate cum laude in Art History from the University of Murcia in 2016, his dissertation focused on Quantz. He has held positions in Pamplona and San Sebastián Conservatories, been a Baroque Flute professor in Murcia, and directed the "Música Antigua en San Juan de Dios" concert series. He teaches Traverso at the Daroca Early Music summer courses. A prolific performer across Europe and Spain, he has founded numerous ensembles, recorded extensively, and is a sought-after lecturer and writer on 18th-century music.​