Tune of the Day: Andante by Paul Merkus
Today we have a new contribution from our guest composer from the Netherlands, Paul Merkus. This early piece for flute and piano was written back in the summer of 1986.
This little piece of only 32 bars is in the key of D minor, which is so attractive for the flute to play. The piece starts with the exposition of the theme by the flute in the first eight bars, after which the piano takes over, accompanied by the flute. In the second part there is a counter-theme which is at first supported by quiet chords in the piano accompaniment, but in the recapitulation of the main theme this quietness has given way to animosity in (especially the left hand of) the piano part. In this final reprise the flute reaches higher heights, before coming to a conclusion in a closing Picardy chord.