Solo Fl. 4Fl. Afl. Bfl.
(Cafl). (Cbfl).
(SubCbFl). (DblCbFl.) (4
flutes, alto flute, bass
flute (contra-alto
flute), (contrabass
flute), (sub-contrabass
flute), (double
contrabass flute)) -
Intermediate-Advanced
SKU: FT.FM610
Composed by Camille
Saint-Saens. Arranged by
Robert Rainford. Arranged
for Solo flute with flute
ensemble accompaniment.
Score and parts. Forton
Music #FM610. Published
by Forton Music
(FT.FM610).
ISBN
9790570485093.
Cami
lle Saint-Saëns
(1835-1921) was a French
composer and organist of
the Romantic era. A child
prodigy, giving his first
concert when he was 10
years old, and studying
at the Paris
Conservatoire. He was
then an organist in Paris
for twenty years,
following which he was a
freelance pianist and
composer, popular both in
Europe and America. This
lesser known work is an
arrangement of a
concerto-like piece for
flute and orchestra. In a
loose rondo form, the
main theme is a decorated
scale. Entries of this
theme are interspersed
with long, almost
hymn-like tunes and
florid scale and arpeggio
patterns. The music
passes seamlessly through
several keys exploring
different moods and
aspects of the flute,
reaching a climax almost
two thirds of the way in
to the piece, before a
beautifully calm coda
lets the music float
away. This is a piece
that deserves to be much
better known. As a single
movement solo piece, it's
a great way for a player
to begin to get some
experience at playing in
an ensemble situation.
The solo line is
demanding, but not
excessively so. The
ensemble parts are
generally straight
forward, first flute
needs to be a confidant
strong player.
