Xenia for Two Flutes and Piano

This lovely duet starts with a poignant melody, becomes ever more passionate before closing as it began. From a practical angle the flutes are in rhythmic unison and close harmony throughout making it straightforward to perform. Musically it will break your heart.

This melodic trio for two flutes and piano is based on a Belarsian folk song wit ha sad sentiment. The phrase structure is simple, with a repeating two-bar rhythmic pattern over a simple quaver accompaniment in the piano. The flutes often move in parallel, with some added decoration in the line for 8-bar passages which alternate with the reprise. The music is melodic, tonal and lyrical, and the piece lasts around 4 minutes. While the musical material is relatively straightforward, some of the ornamented sections present some faster semiquaver movement and even the occasional quintuplet, taking the piece out of the reach of beginners. The moderato tempo, however, means that it could be tackled by intermediate students, who might enjoy the combination of melodic writing and technial challenge.