Four Pieces for Solo Flute

These Four Pieces for solo flute were first published as part of a UE book called Flute Project and were written for Emmanuel Pahud. They now appear as a standalone edition and would make a lovely addition to a recital programme, either in full or as individual movements.

The pieces have evocative titles and are full of character. Birdy chirps and chirrups across the range of the flute with some dramatic energy and contrasting moments of silence. Elegy is marked cantabile, espressivo and shows the more calm nature of the flute, staying mostly in the lower two octaves and requiring a good command of legato playing. Happy Hour is a spikey, energetic miniature full of busy semiquavers and chromatic alterations. This one is a lot of fun and shows the flute’s potential for virtuosity. The final piece, Walk on Moonlight, features fragments of sounds which grow into a lyrical phrase and then re-fragment, capturing the essence of moonlight very effectively.

These pieces present some technical challenges but would be ideal for Grade 8 or diploma level players. Each of the pieces is short, well-structured and has plenty to say; these are quite a find and very enjoyable to play.