Free Flute Sheet Music

Tune of the Day: Orientale by Cui

César Antonovich Cui was a Russian army officer and a teacher of fortifications; of course, he was also a composer and music critic, and in this sideline he is known as a member of The Five, the group of Russian composers under the leadership of Mily Balakirev dedicated to the production of a specifically Russian type of music.

Like so much of Cui's music, the 24 miniatures that together make up his Kaleidoscope for violin and piano are now forgotten — with the exception of the famous “Orientale”, which has been a staple on violinists' and cellists' encore lists for a full century now. This 6/8 time Allegretto rides along on a tambourine rhythm set up by the soloist in the opening bars. The main tune is offered by the piano a few bars in, and later taken up “con morbidezza” (“with tenderness”) by the violin/cello/flute.

Thanks to Kathrine for suggesting this tune!

Tune of the Day: Spatter the Dew

This slip jig is taken from Francis O'Neill's collection Music of Ireland, published in Chicago in 1903. Melodically, the tune seems to cover much the same ground as the more frequently played “The Kid on the Mountain”, though it is itself a distinctive tune.

Tune of the Day: L’Arabesque

This Arabesque, originally written as a study for solo piano by German pianist and composer Friedrich Burgmüller, is taken from 25 Études faciles et progressives, Op. 100.

Thanks to Emily for suggesting this piece!

Tune of the Day: Andantino by Quantz

This is the central movement of a Flute Duet in A minor that the famous German flutist and composer Johann Joachim Quantz composed in 1759.

Tune of the Day: Scherzo from the New World Symphony

The third movement of Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” clearly pays homage to Ludwig van Beethoven. Appropriately entitled after the “Molto vivace” (“very lively”) in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the first notes will make the listener feel they are suddenly listening to Beethoven all over again. Being so fast and lively, this dancing movement is a direct contrast to the Largo before it. The following “Poco sostenuto” trio in E major, on the other hand, recalls Dvorak's very strong Czech-Bohemian folk influences. Of course, Native American music had also been an influence on this symphony. In particular, Dvořák wrote that the third movement scherzo was “suggested by the scene at the feast in Hiawatha where the Indians dance“, referring to Longfellow's 1855 epic poem The Song of Hiawatha.

Tune of the Day: Cahiramee

This syncopated jig appears to be unique to Chicago Police Captain Francis O'Neill's 1907 collection The Dance Music of Ireland.

Cahiramee (or Cahirmee) is a place name in north County Cork (some two miles east of the town of Buttevant), the location of a famous horse fair. The exact start date of the Cahirmee Horse Fair is lost to history, but local legend dates it back to the time of Brian Boru in the 11th century, and written records mention it as early as the 15th century. According to local tradition, this is where Napoleon bought his famous white charger, Marengo.

Tune of the Day: Study in E major by Kummer

This is the twelfth study from German flutist and composer Caspar Kummer's 32 Etudes amusantes et instructives, Op. 129, first published in 1858.