Wednesday 26 June 2024
from Köhler's “25 Romantic Studies”
This elegant, graceful waltz is taken from Ernesto Köhler's 25 Romantic Studies, Op. 66. The only real difficulty here lies in the large intervals. Try to keep a steady tempo throughout the piece, and to differentiate repeated phrases with a careful use of dynamics.
Tuesday 25 June 2024
for two flutes and harp
Today's piece is a dreamy reverie, kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, Paul Merkus from the Netherlands.
This is a short but gentle duet for two flutes, accompanied by harp. Alternatively, it can also be played as an unaccompanied duet or with guitar or piano accompaniment. It was originally written as a piano piece back in the year 2000, but has recently been arranged for this line-up.
Monday 24 June 2024
from String Quintet in E major, G.275
The greatest hit of Luigi Boccherini, this Minuet in A major is taken from his Quintet in E major for two violins, viola, and two cellos. It is quintessential Rococo, a delightful confection that has become known to an enormous audience in its various arrangements as the embodiment of the final years of the Ancien Régime in Europe.
Boccherini was primarily a composer of chamber music, although his symphonies and concerti have considerable merit. He produced more than 100 quintets, more than 100 quartets, more than 50 trios, and more than 50 chamber works in other forms.
Perhaps because his most significant work consists of chamber music and symphonies, Boccherini has often been compared to Joseph Haydn, usually to his disadvantage, like Vivaldi in relation to Johann Sebastian Bach.
Sunday 23 June 2024
Traditional Irish jig
This jig appears to be unique to Francis O'Neill's collections Music of Ireland and The Dance Music of Ireland, published in Chicago in 1903 and 1907 respectively.
Saturday 22 June 2024
from “A Theoretical and Practical Essay on the Boehm Flute”
Today we propose a little study by British flutist and composer John Clinton. It was first published in London in 1843, as part of his A Theoretical and Practical Essay on the Boehm Flute.
Friday 21 June 2024
from Flute Sonata No. 8
This loure (a French Baroque dance) is the third movement of a sonata for 3 flutes in F major by the German Baroque composer and music theorist Johann Mattheson. It was published in Amsterdam in 1708.
Thursday 20 June 2024
from Flute Sonata in E minor
This Aria is the third movement of the second of the six Op. 7 flute sonatas with bass accompaniment by French flutist and composer Jean-Daniel Braun, published in Paris in 1736.