Ernesto Köhler

Ernesto Köhler (4 December 1849 – 17 March 1907) was an Italian flautist and composer. He was considered one of the best flautists of his era as well as a prolific composer and a gifted educator. As a young student, Köhler exhibited a natural proclivity for his chosen instrument and made rapid progress in his studies. During these early years he embarked upon numerous concert tours in Italy with his brother Ferdinando, who was a noted pianist.

At the urging of the Italian flautist Cesare Ciardi, Köhler subsequently left Vienna for an appointment as a flautist in the orchestra of the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersberg in 1871. Following the death of Ciardi in 1877, Köhler subsequently assumed a position as a soloist in the orchestra of the Imperial Opera in Saint Petersburg and rose to become the orchestra's first flautist in 1900. In this capacity, he served for several years as the premier flautist in the Empire of the Czar. His publisher was Julius Heinrich Zimmermann.

Death Ernesto Köhler died in Saint Petersburg on 17 March 1907.

Compositions for flute Cover of A New and Practical School for Mandolin (Новая практическая весьма понятная школа для мандолины) by Ernesto Köhler, with dual German-Russian entries. Version market to Germans was published c. 1887.

A partial listing of Köhler's compositions for flute includes the following works: Flute and orchestra Shephard Idylle, (Hirten-Idylle), Op. 58 Concert Fantasia on a Russian Folk Song, Moskwa, Op. 62 Concert Fantasia from the Opera Der Gouverneur von Tours (by C. Reinecke), Op. 64 Flight of the Swallows, Concert Etude, Op. 72 La Romantique, Concert Fantasy, Op. 80 Zephyr Concert Waltz, Op. 81 Fantasia, Concert Piece, Op. 91 La Capriccieuse Concert piece, Op. 94 Flute Concerto in G. minor, Op. 97 II Concerto, unfinished, Op. 99

Chamber music Flute and piano Il Tramonto Del Sole, Idyll, Op. 2 Reminiscenze Belliniane, Fantasy, Op. 3 Danse Savoyarde, Salon Piece, Op. 8 Chagrin, Salon Piece, Op. 9 Fantaisie Romantique, Fantasy, Op. 13 Valse Caprice, Waltz, Op. 14 Bon Soir Romance, Op. 27 Good Evening, Romance, Op. 29 Six Brilliant Pieces, Op. 30 Amorenttenstandchen Op. 36 Marsch der Aengstlichen, Op. 37 Frühlingslied (Spring Song), Op 38 Alla Mazurka, Op. 39 Tarantelle Napolitaine, Concerto Piece, Op. 42 Danse Champetre, Concerto Piece, Op. 43 Country Dance, Op. 45 Kuss-Gavotte, Op. 47 Reverie Poetique, Op. 49 Auf den Alpen (On the Alps), Op. 51 Dance Album (Books 1-3), Op. 53 Amoretten-Ständchen, Op. 56 Valse Espagnole, Op. 57 Serenade, Op. 59 Six Salon Pieces, Op. 60 Six Easy Fantasias on Russian Folk Songs, Op. 61 Six Easy Fantasias on German Folk Songs, Op. 63 Oriental Serenade, Op. 70 Valse Mignon, Op. 71 Concert Fantasia on a Theme by Donizetti, Op. 73 Italian Serenade, Op. 74 At the Sea Shore Concert piece, Op. 76 Three Characteristic Pieces, Op. 78 Zukunftstraum (Dream of the Future), Op. 79 Ten Concert Etudes, Op. 82 Six Solo Pieces (6 Vortragstucke ), Op. 84 Carlton Mazurka, Op. 85 La Perle du Nord, Concert Piece, Op. 86 Four Morceaux Caracteristiques, Op. 88 Love in Idleness, Fantasy (transcription), Op. 90 Ruslan and Ludmilla, Opera by M. Glinka, Concert Fantasy, Op. 95 Life of the Czar, Opera by M. Glinka, Concert Fantasy, Op. 96 Caprice Original Caprice Brilliant Fantaisie Brillante sur des Motifs Italiens Fleurs d'Italie Concert Fantasy Mathilde, Concert Mazurka Nocturne Polka du Rossignol, Polka Regrets, Melodies Reverie Russe Six Sonatinas Souvenir de de St. Petersbourg Saltarello, Scherzo

Other training courses Echo for Flute, Cornet and Piano, Op. 40 First Concert Duet on a Melody by Schubert, for two flutes and piano, Op. 67 Second Concert Duet on a Melody by Chopin, for two flutes and piano, Op. 68 Echo, Concert Aria for Soprano, flute and piano (German and Italian text), Op. 69 The Well, for Flute, piano and soprano, Op. 83, Flower Waltz, for two flutes and pianoforte, Op. 87 Au Vol d'Oiseau, Picturesque Scenes (cello ad lib.), Op. 98

Flute solos Marches and Gavottes (Book 4), Op. 53 Gipsy Songs and Romances (Book 7), Op. 53 Opera Album (Book 5), Op. 53 Song Album (Book 6). Op. 53 Forty Progressive Duets for two Flutes, Op. 55 Grand Quartet for Four Flutes, Op. 92

Theoretical and practical works Theoretisch-Praktische Flötenschule (Theoretical and Practical Flute School) (2 vols.) Der Fortschritt im Flotenspiel, Op. 33 Twenty-Five Romantic Etudes (25 Romantische Etüden im modernen Stil), Op. 66 Thirty Virtuoso Etudes in all Major and Minor Keys, Op. 75 School of Velocity, Daily studies, Op. 77 22 Exercises for Technique and Interpretation, Op. 89 20 Easy Melodic Progressive Lessons, Op. 93 Twenty Four Characteristic Etudes

Archived works The Discography of American Historical Recordings catalog at the University of California at Santa Barbara includes selected recordings of Ernesto Köhler's compositions which are accessible online via audio streaming.

The International Music Score Library Project contains scores by Ernesto Köhler which are available for viewing online.