Sunday 11 May 2025
from Forty Progressive Duets for Two Flutes
Here is a duet from the first volume of Ernesto Köhler's Forty Progressive Duets, Op. 55. After the exposition of the main theme, which opposes a sixteenth note run to a more lyrical melody, a short slow section in the key of G-flat major (beware the accidentals!) is introduced. The two flutes are treated almost equally in the very first part of the duet, but the second flute is subsequently relegated to an accompaniment role based on a characteristic rhythmic pattern.
Saturday 10 May 2025
from Robert Schumann's “Kinderszenen”
Kinderszenen (“Scenes from Childhood”), Op. 15, is a set of thirteen pieces of music for piano written in 1838 by German composer Robert Schumann. In this work, the great romantic Pianist provides us with his adult reminiscences of childhood. Schumann had originally labeled this work Leichte Stücke (“Easy Pieces”). Likewise, the section titles were only added after the completion of the music, and Schumann described the titles as “nothing more than delicate hints for execution and interpretation”.
“Träumerei” is one of Schumann's best known pieces. It was even used as the title of a 1944 German biopic on Robert Schumann. “Träumerei” is also the love song for Robert and Clara Schumann in the 1947 Hollywood film Song of Love, starring Katharine Hepburn as Clara Wieck Schumann.
Friday 9 May 2025
Traditional Scottish/Irish jig
The “Black Rogue” title of this melody is derived from an old song (“An Rógaire dubh“ in Irish Gaelic) still sung in Irish to the tune.
That black haired rogue has my socks and my shoes,
And my handkerchief for a year and a day now.
The provenance of the tune is unclear, as it is claimed by both Irish and Scots, but it is widely known throughout Ireland. It has been said to have been composed by Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland musician Johnny McGill, born c. 1707. It was first printed in O'Farrell's Pocket Companion for the Irish or Union Pipes, published in 1804, and was then included three times in the music manuscripts of 19th-century Church of Ireland cleric James Goodman.
Thursday 8 May 2025
from “Eighteen Exercises or Etudes for Flute”
This Allegro in A major is the thirteenth étude from 18 exercices pour la flûte traversière by French Romantic composer Benoit Tranquille Berbiguier.
Wednesday 7 May 2025
English madrigal arranged for flute duet
This charming piece is perhaps the best known of all English madrigals, and is the prototype of the pastoral-style madrigal, complete with references to nymphs, springtime, and dancing. It was composed by English organist Thomas Morley, and published in 1595.
Tuesday 6 May 2025
by Johann Strauss the Elder, arranged for flute solo
This march was composed in 1848 by Austrian composer Johann Strauss Sr. It was dedicated to the Austrian Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz, and became quite a popular march among soldiers. Despite its military nature, the tone of the piece is rather festive than martial, in accordance with its dedicatee's exuberant personality and popularity in the ballroom as well as the battlefield.
When the march was first played, in front of Austrian officers in attendance, they promptly clapped and stomped their feet when they heard the chorus. This tradition is carried over today: when the march is played as the last piece of music at the Vienna New Year Concert, the conductor turns to the audience to conduct their clapping instead of the orchestra!
Monday 5 May 2025
Traditional Irish jig
This jig is first found in R.M. Levey's 2nd collection of The Dance Music of Ireland, published in London in 1873. It is closely related to the more famous “The Rakes of Kildare”.
Castlecomer is an old town in the north of County Kilkenny, Ireland, dating back to the Middle Ages. It has been associated with the coal mining industry since the 17th century.