Thursday 17 July 2025
flute solo by Cheryl Cleveland-Kannianen
Today's piece was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, Cheryl Cleveland-Kannianen.
“Mournful Birds” is a free form lament for solo flute. The title reflects the emotive nature of the collective tune. This work relies on a creative interplay of octaves, dynamics and rhythms and several repeating motifs. The piece provides a framework for dramatic interpretation and musical expression of the individual flutist.
Dr. Cheryl Cleveland-Kannianen holds degrees in Chemistry, but music has long been her therapeutic hobby; she has been an active member of various Raleigh, NC flute choirs for many years. Recently retired from a long career as a Regulatory Scientist, Cheryl is now pursuing a Music Degree at Meredith College with a focus on composition, and is excited to share one of her first solo compositions with the flute community.
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Traditional Irish jig
This jig first appeared in Francis O'Neill's celebrated collection The Dance Music of Ireland, published in Chicago in 1907.
The phrase “one-horned cow” is sometimes used as a metaphor for a still, an apparatus for distilling alcoholic drinks.
Tuesday 15 July 2025
from “24 Etudes for Flute”
Here is another étude by Danish flutist Joachim Andersen. This Andantino in B major is study No. 11 from his Twenty-Four Etudes for Flute, Op. 33.
Monday 14 July 2025
from Mozart's “The Magic Flute”, arranged for two flutes
“Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” (“This image is enchantingly lovely”) is an aria from the beginning of Act I of Mozart's famous opera Die Zauberflöte, or The Magic Flute. Prince Tamino has just been presented by the Three Ladies with an image of the princess Pamina, and instantly falls in love with her.
Sunday 13 July 2025
from Flute Sonata No. 2
Today we propose the opening Adagio from Carl Friedrich Weideman's second Sonata for flute and continuo, published around 1737.
Weideman was a German-born flutist and composer, about whom practically nothing is known prior to the year 1724, when he moved to London. Within a couple years, he became one of the city's leading flutists, and by 1750 he was flute instructor to the later king George III.
Many thanks to Federico for suggesting this piece!
Saturday 12 July 2025
Traditional Irish jig
This Irish jig, named after a town in County Limerick, is taken from Francis O'Neill's collection The Dance Music of Ireland, published in Chicago in 1907. O'Neill, who obtained the tune from Limerick fiddler John Carey, remarks that it was at the time “unpublished and new to us”.
Friday 11 July 2025
from “25 Romantic Studies”
This is the fifth étude from Ernesto Köhler's 25 Romantic Studies, Op. 66. Despite its title, it is not very difficult; just start at a moderate tempo and make sure that your fingers move like clockwork, then gradually speed it up.
