Baroque composer Georg Muffat was well-known for the remarkably articulate and informative performance directions printed along with his collections of string pieces Florilegium Primum and Florilegium Secundum (First and Second Bouquets) in 1695 and 1698. On this album the Salzburg Baroque, making its Challenge Classics debut, perform the Florilegium Primum.

Florilegium Primum consists of 50 individual flowers (mostly dance movements), making up seven flower bushes (fascicles, suites), coming together as one bouquet (florilegium). Muffat probably composed the suites, possibly even the individual dance movements, independently of each other, combining them only for the printed edition. The Latin titles of course attract attention. The erudite knowledge of the Jesuit-taught composer provokes thought about their significance. Muffat delivers his music to the listener not only for “amusement” but also for “judgement”: apart from its function as entertainment in the chamber and at the table, as well as providing rhythm for dancing, his music was also intended - on another level - to inspire peace.