Album pour un Flûtiste for Flute with Accompaniment, Op. 65 [Playing score(s)]

This is a collection of works for flute accompanied by different instruments. There are two duos for flute and clarinet, two duos for flute and harp, two duos for flute and voice, two duos for flute and piano and one duo for two flutes. The pieces are individually short, but come together to make a duration of 12 and a half minutes.

Florentine Mulsant is fast becoming one of the leading French living composers, and her works are influenced by the 20th Century French tradition, including composers such as Dutilleux, Ravel, Messiaen and Debussy. Her works have a sense of clarity and expression, and the short pieces in this collection have balanced structures and a directness of approach. The material in each piece is mostly developed upon a single, distinctive idea, often creating a sense of dialogue between the instruments. Mulsant manages to create a sense of unity in these duos, while also making the most of the timbral variation between the instruments. There is also a lovely variety of character in the pieces, so that the pairs of duos for each instrumental combination provide contrast to each other.

These are charming miniatures which demonstrate a strong compositional technique and plenty of personality. They are ideal for intermediate players and would be a lovely addition to a recital programme.