Orchestral Techniques for Flute and Piccolo - an Audition Guide

From the Publisher

This long-awaited book, Orchestral Techniques for Flute and Piccolo: An Audition Guide and an Inside Look at Symphonic Performance Traditions, is the first publication to include comprehensive instructional material that focuses on the technical and stylistic aspects of the main solo and ensemble excerpts from 28 orchestral masterworks.

Some of the topics covered in this 92-page treatise are: tempo choices, rhythmic pitfalls, dynamic adjustments, ensemble considerations, breathing advice, tone qualities, special fingerings, "insider" strategies, articulation style and performance traditions. There are special rhythmic and technical exercises for Beethoven Leonore No.3 and Eroica Symphony, Dvorák 8th Symphony, Shostakovich 15th Symphony, Strauss Till Eulenspiegel, Stravinsky Firebird and Petrouchka, and Tchaikovsky 4th Symphony.

All the musical examples have been reset, correcting the misprints that have persisted for many years in the original printed parts. To better comprehend the ensemble interplay, the flute duo in the second movement of the Bartók Concerto for Orchestra and the entire Stravinsky Firebird Variation movement for flute and piccolo are printed in score form.

Composers represented are Bartók, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Dvorák, Hindemith, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Ravel, Rossini, Saint-Saëns, Shostakovich, Strauss, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky.

Alan Heatherington, in his preface to Orchestral Techniques, comments:

In this book, Kujala demonstrates repeatedly that true artistry is born of strict self-discipline and the development of analytical skills, nurtured by such "pedestrian" means as the metronome and the recorder. I believe that Kujala's many years of applying these disciplines to his own playing have enabled him to extend his successful playing and teaching years well into the time that lesser artists have yielded to diminished skills. The wisdom herein, while intended to benefit those who play the flute and piccolo, provides countless principles and insights for any musician who is in serious quest of a higher performance level.

Editor's Choice

Subtitled 'An Inside Look at Symphonic Performance Tradition', this book aims to guide the student through problems that might be encountered in auditions. Small sections of each work are covered comprehensively. For example Petrouchka is analysed in terms of ways to tackle the first beat, history, other rhythmic challenges, how to ration ratios, how to practise polyrhythms, flute takeover, ensemble challenges, and the cadenza. Amongst other topics to appear are tone colours, second flute issues, retro practice and artistic trilling,There are plenty of exercises and illustrations. diagrams for alternative fingerings, lists of books to read and even a brief mention of Conductor Responsibility. This is an interesting approach from someone who has over 40 years experience in a symphony orchestra and you can't argue with that.

Contents

1. Bartok Concerto for Orchestra
2. Beethoven Symphonies 3,6,7,9 and Leonora Overture 3
3. Brahms Symphonies 1 and 4
4. Debussy Prelude a l'Apres Midi
5. Dvorak Symphony No 8
6. Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis
7. Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf and Classical Symphony
8. Ravel Daphnis and Chloe
9. Rossini William Tell and Semiramide
10. Saint Saens Voliere
11. Shostakovitch Symphonies 6 and 15
12. Strauss R Tell Eulenspiegl and Sinfonica Domestica
13. Stravinsky Firebird and Petrouchka
14. Tchiakovsky Symphony No 4
15. Strauss J Perpetuum Mobile

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