Women have made important contributions to the flute repertoire over the years, and these imaginative pieces show just why.
Anna Bon di Venezia: Six Sonatas for Flute and Basso Continuo, Op1, Vol 1
Each of these sonatas is brim full of charm and youthful exuberance. All are in three movements. No 1 in C major is wonderful, opening with a lyrical and free slow movement, followed by a foot-tapping Allegro and a vibrant Presto. The second sonata in F major follows the same pattern and the B flat major third sonata breaks the pattern, ending with lovely minuet. Feel-good music of the highest order! Difficulty Guide: 6-8
Mirija Esih: Where the Wind Goes……. for Flute and Piano
This is such an imaginative piece which uses an array of contemporary techniques to create a swirl of different textures and sounds. The opening melody immediately draws you in and with its ever increasing intensity, driven by florid embellishments and a higher range of notes, leads to the ‘beatbox’ climax. The calmness of the ending brings the piece to a fitting end. If you love playing contemporary music this is a stunner! Difficulty Guide: 8-9
Hilary Taggart: The Flute Voice for Flute and Piano
The back story of The Flute Voice is a poem by Sidney Lanier poem and music reflects this with a beautifully crafted flute line over rich supportive harmony which reflects the text. The piece is constantly shifting both in tempo and in mood, with snippets of melody delicately altered to produce fleeting aural flashbacks, Hilary Taggart is a wonderful flute player herself and her understanding of the instrument enables her to use all the colours and flexibility of phrasing available to us. It’s an altogether unusual and very beautiful piece which would be great in any concert programme. Difficulty Guide: 7-8
Katherine Hoover: Masks for Flute and Piano
All six movements of this unusual piece have a different feel. For drama try A Haida with its bold opening or Clown mask for its unpredictability, Hulchoi can supply cascades of notes, the African Death mask is eerie, and the last two can be anything you like! Each one of these would easily stand alone and pairs of contrasting movements would work very well. Effective and great to play! Difficulty Guide: 8-9
Germaine Tailleferre: Forlane for Flute and Piano
This short vignette is rather enigmatic in character with its lilting 6/8 rhythm and minor harmonies. The melody is simply written and the change of key to seven flats alters the feel only slightly. It is the return to A minor that becomes more animated and expressive before the piece ends as it began. Lovely! Difficulty Guide: 6
