Sonatina for Two Flutes

This Sonatina has a duration of five minutes and three movements - an Allegretto, Andante and Jig. Commissioned by Peter Sheridan, a low flute specialist based in Australia, the piece may be played on two flutes, but is intended to bring out the colours of the upper registers of low flutes, and is ideally played on two altos or even two bases.

The music is written in a straightforward tonal style, and with a moderate level of technical demand.  The Allegretto is rhythmically drawn on idiomatic patterns from the baroque era, with a two semiquaver-quaver motif featuring heavily.  The parts are in rhythmic unison for most of the movement, and the moderate tempo is well suited to intermediate low flute players.

The expressive Andante features long flowing phrases, with the main melodic material in the first part, while the second part provides an accompaniment pattern of quavers and crotchets.  The rhythmic unisons return for the final movement, a jig which provides a short burst of energy to end the piece.

This is a relatively simple, but well-crafted piece which is ideally suited to younger players or amateurs, and provides some enjoyment for anyone beginning an exploration of low flutes