Nutcracker Suite for Two Flutes [Playing score(s)]

Nutcracker Duets should be a spectacular crowd-pleaser at any Christmas concert or event. The virtuosity of the flute parts will ‘wow’ audiences, while also providing tunes that people know and love; the recipe for an extremely fun listening experience! There is plenty of excitement and challenge in store for the flautist, from the double tonguing in the overture, to the lyrical melodies of the Waltz of the Flowers, to the large intervals and fast runs of the Chinese Dance. Jennifer Seubel has arranged the Suite with great attention to detail: the precision of the performance directions and the way the flute parts complement each other really brings out the best of the instrumentation.

All too often, popular works are arranged for flute duet and simplified, so that only the 'big tune' remains. Not so here, with this fabulous arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite by Jennifer Seubel. All eight movements are included, in full, with the orchestral parts carefully woven into a two-flute texture. Both parts are busy most of the time, with plenty of (highly enjoyable) challenges. Matching note lengths at the start of the Overture is a great test of ensemble skills, and that's only the beginning! This is a very well-crafted arrangement, with both parts moving between dialogue, melody and accompaniment, requiring two well-matched players and a lot of sensitivity as the roles change throughout the music.

The full range of the flute is used in both parts, with optional 8va sections to really provide opportunities to explore the upper register. The rhythmic discipline of the March is matched against flowing semiquavers, with the parts switching to maintain interest and challenge. The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy requires a special lightness of touch and plenty of embouchure flexibility to negotiate the octave leaps. There are also some fantastically entertaining demisemiquaver passages going right up to the top of the instrument's range. The Dance of the Reed Flutes takes much of the material directly from the original, so is perhaps one of the least complicated (at least from the perspective of the arranger) but has plenty to offer.

This is a fantastic addition to the two-flute repertoire and likey to be hugely popular amongst advanced students, amateurs and professionals alike. Audiences will love it too - it's ideal for Christmas concerts, and demonstrates the capabilities of the flute very well.