Saturday 21 March 2026
Traditional Irish jig
This jig first appeared in Francis O'Neill's collection Music of Ireland, published in 1903. O'Neill's source for the tune was Chicago Police Sergeant and fiddler James O'Neill (no relation), originally from County Down in Ireland.
Friday 20 March 2026
from “30 Caprices for Flute Solo”
This light and fast 4/8-time piece is the twelfth étude from Sigfried Karg-Elert's 30 Caprices: a “Gradus ad Parnassum” of the modern technique for flute solo.
Thursday 19 March 2026
from Recorder Sonata No. 1
This is the second movement of an A-minor sonata composed by Jean-Baptiste Loeillet around 1710. The sonata, originally written for recorder and continuo, has been arranged for two flutes.
Thanks to Lauryn for suggesting this piece!
Wednesday 18 March 2026
from Giuseppe Verdi's “Rigoletto”
“La donna è mobile” (“Woman is fickle”) is the cynical Duke of Mantua's song from Giuseppe Verdi's 1851 opera Rigoletto. The inherent irony is that it is the callous playboy Duke himself who is mobile (“inconstant”) This canzone is famous as a showcase for tenors, and has been recorded by Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and hundreds of others. Before this song's first public performance, which took place in Venice, it was rehearsed under tight secrecy: a necessary precaution, because it proved to be catchy and soon after its first public performance every gondolier in Venice was singing it!
Tuesday 17 March 2026
Traditional Polish folk song
“Kalina Malina” is a traditional Polish folk and military song dating back to the 1800s. While its author is unknown, it probably originated in the regions of western Mazovia, where it enjoys great popularity.
As with many folk songs, the lyrics are not quite set in stone, but they usually feature a young girl or lover talking to a guelder-rose (kalina) and a raspberry (malina) bush, with themes of love, nature, and sometimes war. The song is a staple of Polish wedding music, and is often played during receptions.
Thanks to Martin for suggesting this tune!
Monday 16 March 2026
from “Thirty Easy and Progressive Studies”
Today we propose étude No. 28 from Italian Romantic composer Giuseppe Gariboldi's collection of 30 Etudes faciles et progressives.
Sunday 15 March 2026
Flute duet by J.B. de Boismortier
This is the third duet in E minor from the 55 Easy Pieces by Baroque composer Joseph Bodin de Boismortier. The French title “La Seduisante” can be translated as “The Seductive One”.
Thanks to Paolo for contributing this piece!