Le Tombeau de Couperin for Flute Orchestra

Mel Oriss has achieved the near impossible here with this outstanding transcription of Ravel's fantastically colourful Tombeau de Couperin. She has captured as much of the detail as possible in all six of the movements by weighting the scoring in the lower flutes and allowing the upper parts to have a greater clarity. She also varies the sounds by using the piccolo and lower flutes sparingly at times, which enables her to increase the textural interest and has the practical advantage of giving these players a welcome rest! There is some flexibility in the instrumentation too as the contra'alto flute can be replaced by a bass and double contra bass flutes is optional. Although this is challenging work for anyone, each of these famous movements works wonderfully well and will stand alone in a concert. This is a real bonus for choirs whose resources are stretched. Those aspiring to play the complete version will need to have stamina as well as technical mastery, good ensemble skills and musical integrity. Mel Oriss has given us the opportunity to access this marvellous music with sensitivity and skill, and her work is a complete triumph. Lucky us!