Thursday 26 January 2023
for two flutes
This Andante is the third movement of a duet for two flutes or violins by Baroque composer Georg Philipp Telemann, first published in 1728 as part of Der getreue Musikmeister (“the faithful music master”), a musical journal aimed at amateurs.
Wednesday 25 January 2023
for flute and piano
Today's piece was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, Paul Merkus from the Netherlands.
The “Pledge” was originally written for alto saxophone and piano in 2014, but has been transcribed for flute and piano by octavating the flute part. The original intent was to exploit the sultry character of the low register of the alto saxophone, while contrasting it with passages in a higher position.
Hence, the piece begins with a questioning in the low register. After a first phrase, the questioning becomes a bit more impatient, with staccato notes and an exclamation. Then the main theme gradually unfolds with rhythmic evolution, followed by an interlude and a second theme, first rising, then falling. This pattern repeats before leading into an epilogue, in which the questioning return one final time.
Tuesday 24 January 2023
Reel by Roddy Campbell
Today's tune was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, piper Roddy Campbell from the isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
This was a short and pleasant family holiday in the summer of 2009 in Borve, that once-Viking township on the west side of Barra.
Monday 23 January 2023
from “48 Famous Studies for Oboe or Saxophone”
Today's study is the sixth piece from 48 Études pour hautbois ou saxophone, composed around 1835 by German oboist and clarinetist Franz Wilhelm Ferling.
The meaning of the tempo indication “Allegro scergo” is a bit of a mystery, as while the word “scergo” may look Italian, it most definitely isn't. Commentators have advanced multiple hypotheses as to what Ferling (or possibly the original editor) meant, but in our opinion the likeliest of all is that it was a misspelling of “scherzo”.
Sunday 22 January 2023
arranged for two flutes
Today we propose an arrangement for two flutes of the famous Londonderry Air, a.k.a. “Danny Boy”.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow,—
Oh, Danny boy, Oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Thanks to Rachel for contributing this arrangement!
Saturday 21 January 2023
from Flute Sonata in F major
This is the opening movement of Johann Joachim Quantz's Sonata in F major for flute and continuo, QV 1:82. It is one of many works for flute that Quantz composed for his student and patron Frederick II, King of Prussia.
Friday 20 January 2023
Traditional Irish jig
The earliest known appearance of “The Cat in the Corner” is in Ryan's Mammoth Collection, published in Boston in 1883. However, the tune was likely derived from an earlier jig by Scottish fiddler Niel Gow (1727–1807) titled “Lady Charlotte Murray”.