Sunday 1 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Preludio by Corelli

 from Trio Sonata in F major, transcribed for two flutes

Today we propose the opening movement of Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli's Trio Sonata No. 7 in F major. The Op. 2 sonatas were so successful that after the original publication in Rome in 1685 they were quickly reprinted in Bologna, and by 1710 they were reprinted throughout Italy no less than 13 times! They were also published in England and, most of all, in France, where the respect and admiration for Corelli started to grow.

Thanks to Mario for contributing this piece!

Categories: Baroque Sonatas Difficulty: intermediate
Monday 2 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in B-flat minor by Köhler

 from “22 Studies in Expression and Facility”

This is the last piece from 22 Studies in Expression and Facility, Op. 89 by Italian flutist and composer Ernesto Köhler. This collection was originally published in 1904 with the German title 22 Vortrags- und Geläufigkeits Etuden für Flöte.

Categories: Double tonguing Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: advanced
Tuesday 3 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Jack Lattin With Variations

 Traditional Irish reel

This reel is very popular throughout the British Isles, especially among pipers and fiddlers. The earliest appearance in print of the melody under the “Lattin” title (or variations thereof, such as “Latin” or “Layton”) appears to be in the Scottish Drummond Castle Manuscript, dated 1734. It is also said to have been published in the same year in Ireland in John Neal's 3rd Collection of Country Dances. Some sources attribute the composition of the tune to the renowned Irish piper Walker Jackson (1716–1798), but this attribution is questionable.

The present set of variations was published in O'Farrell's Collection of National Irish Music for the Union Pipes (1804).

Categories: Celtic Music Reels Traditional/Folk Difficulty: intermediate
Wednesday 4 April 2018

Tune of the Day: La Niderulm

 from “Amusement de Mars”

This fanfare is the third movement of Amusement de Mars, a suite for solo instrument (“musette, vielle, flute and oboe” according to the original edition) and continuo by the French Baroque composer Nicolas Chédeville.

The title almost certainly refers to the German town of Nieder-Olm, located near the Rhine river 10 km south of Mainz.

Categories: Baroque Fanfares Difficulty: intermediate
Thursday 5 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Philadelphia Hop Waltz

 arranged for two flutes

This polka-like “hop waltz” was composed by James Hemmenway around 1815. Hemmenway was an African-American composer, trumpeter and band leader, a native of Philadelphia, and, like his competitor in the city, Frank Johnson, was one of the first generation of classically trained African-American musician-composers in the United States.

The present arrangement for two flutes is taken from Blake's Young Flutist's Magazine, published in 1833.

Categories: Marches Polkas Difficulty: intermediate
Friday 6 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in B-flat minor by Dôthel

 from “Studi per il flauto”

This short minuet in B-flat minor is the twenty-eighth and last piece from Studi per il flauto in tutti j tuoni e modi (“Flute studies in all keys and modes”) by French-Italian flutist and composer Niccolò Dôthel (a.k.a. Nicolas D'Hotel).

Categories: Classical Etudes Minuets Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Saturday 7 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Tableau

 Traditional clog dance tune

This clog dance tune, probably of Canadian origin, is taken from Harding's All-Round Collection of Jigs, Reels and Country Dances, published in New York in 1905. It was notably recorded by Bill Boyd and his Cowboy Ramblers in 1938.

Categories: Clogs Traditional/Folk Difficulty: intermediate
Sunday 8 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Jeunesse!

 for flute and piano, by Benjamin Godard

Today we present a piece for flute and piano by French composer Benjamin Godard. Its French title, “Jeunesse!”, translates to “Youth!”. It was published posthumously in 1896, one year after Godard's death.

Thanks to Nicolas for suggesting this piece!

Categories: Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Monday 9 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Allemanda by Corelli

 from Trio Sonata in F major, transcribed for two flutes

This Allemanda is the second movement of Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli's Trio Sonata No. 7 in F major.

Thanks to Mario for contributing this piece!

Categories: Allemandes Baroque Sonatas Difficulty: intermediate
Tuesday 10 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in C major by Köhler

 from “Progress in Flute Playing”

This étude is the first piece from the second book of Italian composer Ernesto Köhler's Progress in Flute Playing, Op. 33. The same work was also published in Germany as Der Fortschritt im Flötenspiel, and in France as Le progrès dans l'art de la flûte.

Categories: Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Wednesday 11 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Jennie Rock the Cradle

 Traditional Irish reel

This reel is taken from Chicago police officer Francis O'Neill's Music of Ireland, a collection of 1850 melodies published in 1903. The first part of the tune appears to be derived from “Jack Lattin”.

Categories: Celtic Music Reels Traditional/Folk Difficulty: intermediate
Thursday 12 April 2018

Tune of the Day: La Oberulm

 from “Amusement de Mars”

This fanfare is the fourth movement of Amusement de Mars, a suite for solo instrument (“musette, vielle, flute and oboe” according to the original edition) and continuo by the French Baroque composer Nicolas Chédeville.

The title almost certainly refers to the German town of Ober-Olm, located near the Rhine river 7 km south-west of Mainz.

Categories: Baroque Fanfares Difficulty: intermediate
Friday 13 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Belgrave Waltz

 arranged for three flutes

This waltz for three flutes is taken from Blake's Young Flutist's Magazine, published in Philadelphia in 1833. Unfortunately we were unable to trace the origins of this melody, but there are several places called Belgrave, especially in England.

Categories: Waltzes Difficulty: intermediate
Saturday 14 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in C major by Hugues

 from “40 Esercizi per Flauto”

Today's piece is the first study from 40 Esercizi per Flauto (40 Exercises for Flute), Op. 101, by Italian flutist, composer and arranger Luigi Hugues.

Categories: Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Sunday 15 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Pedestal

 Traditional clog dance tune

This clog dance tune, probably of Canadian origin, is taken from Harding's All-Round Collection of Jigs, Reels and Country Dances, published in New York in 1905. It was notably recorded by Bill Boyd and his Cowboy Ramblers in 1938.

Categories: Clogs Traditional/Folk Difficulty: intermediate
Monday 16 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Ballade by Paul Merkus

 for flute and piano

Today's piece was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, Paul Merkus from the Netherlands. It was written in 2015.

This “Ballade” is composed of five parts corresponding to five musical phrases. It starts with a double prelude: a first phrase with an introductory theme in the piano, after which the flute joins in. The next part contains new thematic material and results in a first interlude of the piano, after which the flute becomes more agile and culminates in its high register. Then follows a second interlude of the piano, after which the agility of the flute continues. Eventually, the theme of the first prelude returns, but this time together with the flute. Hence, the circle is complete.

Categories: Contemporary Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Tuesday 17 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Corrente by Corelli

 from Trio Sonata in F major, transcribed for two flutes

This corrente is the second movement of Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli's Trio Sonata No. 6 in G minor, published in 1685. Corelli was a violinist, and this sonata was originally scored for two violins and continuo; however, it can be played without issues by two flutes.

Thanks to Mario for contributing this piece!

Categories: Baroque Courantes Sonatas Difficulty: intermediate
Wednesday 18 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in A major by Köhler

 from “Progress in Flute Playing”

This étude is the second piece from the second book of Italian composer Ernesto Köhler's Progress in Flute Playing, Op. 33. The same work was also published in Germany as Der Fortschritt im Flötenspiel, and in France as Le progrès dans l'art de la flûte.

Categories: Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Thursday 19 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Charming Mary Kelly

 Traditional Irish reel

This Irish reel is taken from Chicago police officer Francis O'Neill's fine collection Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody, published in 1922.

Categories: Celtic Music Reels Traditional/Folk Difficulty: easy
Friday 20 April 2018

Tune of the Day: La Bermersheim

 from “Amusement de Mars”

This sarabande is the fifth movement of Amusement de Mars, a suite for solo instrument (“musette, vielle, flute and oboe” according to the original edition) and continuo by the French Baroque composer Nicolas Chédeville.

The title refers to the German town of Bermersheim, located near the Rhine river about 10 km north-west of Worms.

Categories: Baroque Sarabandes Difficulty: intermediate
Saturday 21 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Bellisle March

 Traditional English march and dance tune

This very popular melody dates back to at least 1657, when it was published in the supplement to the 3rd edition of John Playford's The Dancing Master as “Monk's March”.

The present arrangement for two flutes is taken from Blake's Young Flutist's Magazine, published in 1833.

Categories: Dance tunes Marches Traditional/Folk Difficulty: easy
Sunday 22 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study No. 2 in C major

 from “40 Esercizi per Flauto”

Today's piece is the second study from 40 Esercizi per Flauto (40 Exercises for Flute), Op. 101, by Italian flutist, composer and arranger Luigi Hugues.

Categories: Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Monday 23 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Sellenger's Round

 Traditional English dance tune

This old folk dance melody is thought to have originated in Ireland (where it is sometimes called “The Beginning of the World”), and became very popular in England in the 16th century. A “round” is a dance where the dancers form a circle. The tune continues to be used to this day by dance troops who perform English folk dances, including Morris and Maypole style dancing.

Thanks to Phil for suggesting this tune!

Categories: Dance tunes Traditional/Folk Difficulty: easy
Tuesday 24 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Picasso's Dancers

 by Peter Pope, for solo flute

Today's piece was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, Peter Pope. It is called “Picasso's Dancers”, and is a miniature (in compressed sonatina form) which takes advantage of the flute's flexibility and attractiveness when played solo.

Categories: Contemporary Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Wednesday 25 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Giga by Corelli

 from Trio Sonata in F major, transcribed for two flutes

This beautiful gigue is the fourth and final movement of Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli's Trio Sonata No. 7 in F major, published in 1685.

Thanks to Mario for contributing this piece!

Categories: Baroque Jigs Sonatas Difficulty: intermediate
Thursday 26 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in E minor by Köhler

 from “Progress in Flute Playing”

This étude is the third piece from the second book of Italian composer Ernesto Köhler's Progress in Flute Playing, Op. 33. The same work was also published in Germany as Der Fortschritt im Flötenspiel, and in France as Le progrès dans l'art de la flûte.

Categories: Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate
Friday 27 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Alasdair MacAlister

 Traditional Scottish strathspey

The earliest appearance of this Scottish tune is in Ryan's Mammoth Collection, which was published in Boston in 1883. The melody is popular throughout Britain, Ireland and North America, in a variety of settings.

Categories: Celtic Music Strathspeys Traditional/Folk Difficulty: intermediate
Saturday 28 April 2018

Tune of the Day: La Benheim

 from “Amusement de Mars”

This rondeau is the sixth movement of Amusement de Mars, a suite for solo instrument (“musette, vielle, flute and oboe” according to the original edition) and continuo by the French Baroque composer Nicolas Chédeville.

The title probably refers to the German town of Bensheim, located at the eastern edge of the Rhine rift between the cities of Darmstadt and Worms.

Categories: Baroque Rondos Difficulty: intermediate
Sunday 29 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Hummel's Waltz

 arranged for two flutes

This waltz is attributed to the Austrian composer and piano virtuoso Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778–1837). The present arrangement for two flutes appeared in Blake's Young Flutist's Magazine, published in 1833.

Categories: Classical Romantic Waltzes Difficulty: intermediate
Monday 30 April 2018

Tune of the Day: Study in A minor by Hugues

 from “40 Esercizi per Flauto”

Today's piece is the third study from 40 Esercizi per Flauto (40 Exercises for Flute), Op. 101, by Italian flutist, composer and arranger Luigi Hugues.

Categories: Etudes Romantic Written for Flute Difficulty: intermediate