The instantly recognisable and ever-popular Méditation from the opera Thaïs by Jules Massenet (1842-1912) remains a strong favourite in the classical repertoire superbly arranged for Flute and Piano by French flautist Paul Taffanel. Massenet first studied music with his mother before entering the Paris Conservatoire. He is best known for his operas of which he composed over thirty. Thaïs was first performed at the Opéra Garnier in Paris in 1894 and continues to be one of the composer's most performed operas. The famous Méditation isan intermezzo originally for Violin and Orchestra which has since been arranged for many different instruments making it a frequent concert piece. The arrangement for Flute and Piano remains in the original key of D major and displays the passionate religious intentions. Taffanel's adaptions include breath marks phrasing changing octaves for some notes and articulation among other aspects. Massenet's Méditation is challenging through its use of lyricism in the upper register yet it remains a favoured and popular piece in the Flute's repertoire.

In a letter dating from 1777 Mozart reported to his father from Mannheim that Johann Baptist Wendling principal Flautist of the famous Mannheim Orchestra had been approached by a wealthy Dutch businessman by the name of De Jean who was prepared to pay 200 gulden for three easy flute concertos and four flute quartets for his own use. Mozart accepted the commission. By the day before the Dutchman left Mozart had delivered only three of the quartets andtwo concertos for which he had been paid 964 gulden. The composer who was himself being pressed by his father to continue his own journey to Paris with his mother was full of excuses writing back to Salzburg on 14 February 'It is not surprising I have been unable to finish them for I never have a single hour's quiet here...Moreover you know I become quite powerless when I am obliged to write for an instrument I can't stand.' There is more than a hint of disingenuousness in Mozart's words for this was the height of the period during which he was being distracted from his work by his new-found love for the Mannheim singer Aloysia Weber. (He ultimatelymarried her sister Constanze.) If Mozart's dislike of the Flute was as great as he claimed there are few signs in the Flute Concerto No.1 in G major particularly in the expressive central Adagio ma non troppo. The outermovements are an Allegro maestoso and a concluding Rondo: Tempo di Menuetto. The work is scored for two oboes (replaced by flutes in the Adagio) two horns and strings. This Great Performers' Edition is edited byJames Galway.

French composer and conductor Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) composed Le Petit Chevrier Corse in 1952. As with his other woodwind compositions  Le Petit Chevrier Corse was well-received by audiences. Tomasi was born in Marseille but his Father and Mother were originally from La Casinca in Corsica. Despite being pressured in to musical studies by his parents Tomasi dreamed of becoming a sailor and during the summer he stayed with his Grandmother in Corsica where he learnt traditional Corsican songs. However in 1921 he began his studies at the Paris Conservatoireand went on to become a high profile composer and conductor. Tomasi did not forget his Corsican routes often incorporating themes of the songs he had learnt during the summers with his Grandmother. This is apparent in Le Petit Chevrier Corse for Flute and Piano or Harp accompaniment. This Tomasi piece is suitable to intermediate level flautists and its popularity has been proven by its inclusion in the ABRSM grade 5 syllabus since 2005.

Studio Ghibli Songs for Flute Vol.1/English. 8 arrangements for solo flute and piano from 7 Ghibli Cinemas.