In the Netherlands in the first half of the 19th century, musical life was still in it’s infancy. There were no orchestras of international stature, and the dividing line between the inspired amateur and the professional musician was as yet unclear. Two musicians, Johann Wilhelm Wilms (1772-1847) and Johannes Meinardus Coenen (1824-1899), played an important role in the gradual establishment of a professional musical life. Johann Wilms may be counted among the leading Dutch composers of his generation. His many activities as a composer, musician, organist and organizer have been of invaluable importance to musical life in the Netherlands. Wilms is chiefly remembered as the composer of Wien Nerlands bloed, which served as the Dutch national anthem before Wilhelmus. Wilms’ compositions were published in Germany, Britain and Denmark as well as the Netherlands. In his Concertino in G minor for flute and orchestra (c.1814), Wilms balances on the borderline