Author: Chris Hankin

  • Striking Music for Flute, Cello and Piano

    Striking Music for Flute, Cello and Piano

    Flute, cello and piano together make a highly effective trio, and it doesn’t have to be all Baroque. Try these remarkable contemporary works which show what this combination is capable of. Nikolai Kapustin: Trio Op 86 for Flute, Cello and Piano This is an unusual work for this very classical combination. The opening is striking…

  • It’s International Women’s Day!

    It’s International Women’s Day!

    In our annual post we celebrate great flute music by wonderful female composers (the arrangers are good too)! Cecile Chaminade arranged Dana Joras: Three Pieces for Flute and Piano If you love the music of Chaminade try these three delightful arrangements. Dano Joras is a flute player herself which means that the melodic lines are…

  • Melt the Winter Blues Away with Heart-Warming Romanticism

    Melt the Winter Blues Away with Heart-Warming Romanticism

    These delightful pieces will get you playing from the heart. Lothar Kempter: Ballade for Flute and Piano If you have ever wished that Brahms had written something for flute and piano, you may enjoy this beautiful piece. It is proper, passionate “heart-on-your-sleeve” Romantic music – full of drama and colour, it ebbs and flows towards…

  • New Year, New You

    New Year, New You

    January is the ideal time to hone your skills and try out new ideas. Try these recommended books to set you on your way. Wil Offermans: Improvisation Calendar for Flute Presented in the form of a calendar, these 52 graphic scores (one for each week) consist of drawings that range from something as simple as…

  • Great Flute Choir Music for a Memorable Christmas Concert

    Great Flute Choir Music for a Memorable Christmas Concert

    The Christmas concert is one of the most important events in the year for a flute choir. If you’re looking for some inspiration, this mix of joyous, sublime and simply plain fun arrangements are all tried and trusted. Mozart arranged Axtell: Alleluja from Exsultate Jubilate arranged for Flute Choir There is something magnificently uplifting about…

  • Highlights from the 2022 ABRSM Flute Syllabus

    Highlights from the 2022 ABRSM Flute Syllabus

    It’s always exciting when the new ABRSM syllabus lands. Try these new additions which are different, enticing and fun to play. YolanDa Brown: Flute Collection This book is full of famous songs ranging from reggae to jazz. The flute part keeps the melodies simple and there are performance directions for each one. The downloadable backing…

  • Pieces to Play Before Taking Grade 6 Flute

    Pieces to Play Before Taking Grade 6 Flute

    There’s more to flute-playing than taking exams – these pieces will convince you to make space between the grades to explore new music. Dargomyzhsky and Tchaikovsky arranged Olga Ivusheikova: Two Russian Pieces for Flute and Piano This is a pairing of two very different but lovely pieces. Sweetheart by Alexander Darmgomyzhsky is spirited with a…

  • American Beauties: Winners at the NFA

    To win at the NFA New Music Competition is a stellar achievement, so you can be sure that these pieces have true gold star quality. Sarah Bassingthwaite: Amhran na hEascainne (Song of the Eel) for Solo Flute This stunning piece for solo flute, which is based on an old Irish song, is immediately enticing. The…

  • Special music for early grades players

    Special music for early grades players

    Ring the changes with these great albums that are sure to please. Alfie Pugh: Dioramas Book 1 for Flute and Piano This is a great book for young players just starting to develop their reading and flute playing skills. Each of these four pieces has a completely different character but all are written in easy…

  • Piccolo Picks

    Piccolo Picks

    Let the petite flûte take centre stage with these unusual and colourful pieces! Elena Kats-Chernin: Eliza Aria for Piccolo and Piano This lovely piece is based on the original score for the ballet Wild Swans and it’s great! The note range is quite small and the rhythm straightforward so it’s possible to concentrate purely on…