Kohler was a flutist with the Russian Imperial Ballet from 1871 and was eventually named first flutist with the Russian Opera in St. Petersburg in 1900. This proved to be a productive period with his own compositions, including this set of six exhibitions for advanced flutists. Sechs Vortragsstücke from 1901 includes diverse and beautiful pieces such as Gondoliera, Arlequin et Colombine, and Feu-Follet.