Enjoy these fabulous flute pieces from our most popular black composers!
William Grant Still: Summerland for Flute and Piano
This is a lovely piece by the black American composer William Grant Still. The gentle sweep of the flute line drifts over a supportive accompaniment whose elusive harmonies really pull at the heart strings, The more animated central section adds extra charm to the writing. This is beautiful and you will enjoy playing every single note! Difficulty Guide: 7
Valerie Coleman: Wish Sonatina for Flute and Piano
This a piece about the slave trade and it doesn’t pull any punches. The music is uncompromising and a challenge for both players, with its angular harmonies, strident rhythms and frequent changes of texture. Coleman really know how to write for the flute and she is creative and skillful. As a result this piece will really add an extra dimension to any recital and be a perfect foil for standard flute repertoire. Difficulty Guide: 9
Adolphus Hailstork: Circus Butterflies for Two Flutes and Piano
Adolphus Hailstork has produced a work for two flutes and piano that pays hommage to the writing of the nineteenth century stalwarts while taking it onto a completely different level. These butterflies fly around in traditional harmonies which are spiked with barbs of dissonance, dovetail over a larger range and with more energy, and interact with the accompaniment which is now a much more important part of the texture. The result is a virtuoso piece that perfectly encapsulates the title. Have fun with this one! Difficulty Guide: 8-9
Samuel Coleridge Taylor arranged Robert Rainford: Five Fantasy Pieces for Four Flutes
These Samuel Coleridge-Taylor arrangements are great! The style mixture of Romanticism and folk music produces a collection of pieces of diverse characters. Each movement would stand alone and combinations would work very well too. If you’re looking for something slightly away from the mainstream this would be very good choice. Difficulty Guide: 7-8
Florence Price arranged Elizabeth Jolly: Adoration for Flute Choir
More music can be found here: