For Sophie Dufeutrelle Professor of Flute at the Ecole Nationale de Musique de Villeurbanne an intense pedagogical activity goes hand in hand with composition an area in which she has received several commissions from esteemed soloists such as Maxence Larrieu and Philippe Bernold. Written in 2002 for a Flute Orchestra of around 20 instruments (from the Piccolo to the Octobass) Marine belongs to a tradition cherished by painters since the 16th century: the maritime landscape. The 1st movement (Mist) opens onto a lengthy section largely dedicated to improvisation in the spirit of Walter Thompson’s soundpainting: using fingermovements the conductor signs to the musicians the type of motif (calm sea swell whistling buoys seagulls and fishing boats) that will insert itself ad libitum between two lines of waves. The 2nd movement more traditional floats a Song of heartbreaking melancholy followed by a light lively Dance that swirls the heart into joyful eddies. Written for intermediate-level flautists (with one part reserved for beginners) this piece with its variety of atmospheres concludes on a high note – in the joy of making music together!

Flunk! can be played by 5 flutes with CD backing (fretless bass played by Daf Lewis) with or without the optional Alto Flute. The bass clarinet part is provided here for solely acoustic performances as an alternative to using the backing track. It is suggested that the flute players perform this work sitting in a traditional semicircle with two speakers behind them at head height. The speakers face the audience and the instrumentalists are carried by the backing. The flute players do not need any microphones.