Sonata for Bass Flute (or Flute) and Piano

Debussy's Cello Sonata is subtitled Pierrot is angry with the moon, and this evocative phrase provides a fertile starting point for Simon Desorgher's creative arrangement of this celebrated work. Desorgher understands the bass flute intimately; his years of experience as a performer and experimenter shine through in this arrangement. Some of the techniques appear problematic at face value (eg tongue pizzicato notes in the high register) but Desorgher carefully explains the technique he adopts to get the sound he has in mind. The understanding of the instrument also comes through in the colours used, making use of the full range of the instrument (from low B to high C) effectively, with its rich, sonorous low register and less bright upper range.

Different techniques are used to mimic the sound of the cello, such as pizzicato, singing and playing and flutter tonguing effects. These are always used for colour variety, and therefore do not seem out of place in the context of Debussy's music.

This is an enjoyable arrangement which demonstrates the bass flute's capacity as a versatile instrument.