Sheet Music: The Flower Duet

TitleThe Flower Duet
from Lakmé
Alternate titlesSous le dôme épais
ComposerLéo Delibes (1836–1891)
InstrumentationFlute duet
KeyB major
RangeB3–B5
Time signature6/8
Tempo120 BPM
Performance time1:20
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (78 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.2 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.2 MB)
Date added2009-04-18
Last updated2009-04-18
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 13.9 (extremely popular)
Categories
Opera excerpts, Romantic, Show-off pieces

Performances

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Saturday 18 April 2009
Monday 15 July 2024

Tune of the Day: The Flower Duet

from “Lakmé” by Léo Delibes
Flowers

This is one of those tunes that everybody knows, though very few know its name. It is taken from a Romantic opera by Léo Delibes, composed in the 1880s. Included in the work entitled Lakmé, the “flower duet” still fascinates listeners by the intensity of emotion it triggers. This is the reason for which it has been included in so many advertisements (particularly for British Airways) and movie soundtracks, not to mention its over-use by television shows.

There are a couple of things which might trouble you when trying to play this piece. The most noticeable one is perhaps its key, which demands the use of five sharp notes. The other one is its syncopated rhythm, with rests on most of the downbeats. But don't be afraid, you really just need to think of the musicality of the piece.

Other Movements from the same Work

The Flower Duet Flute trio