Lyrical Flute Legends for Flute and Piano

This is an interesting book which will introduce intermediate players to a wide variety of musical styles. Arrangements of classic tunes and new pieces by contemporary composers is a very appealing mix and the progressive nature of the book ensures that it will have a long life. Highlights are the three Crispin pieces by Elena Kats-Chernin that are full of character and sure to please younger players, a sparkling version of Engelmann's Halloween Dance, Danza del Anhelo by Sally Greenway which is full of yearning, and the unmistakeable sound of Gary Schocker in Fable. The whole book is good though and something just that little bit different. Lovely!

This is an enjoyable collection of short tuneful pieces for early intermediate players. With titles such as Crispin the Curious, Summer Morning in the Woods and Sighs and Silence, the pieces are evocative of moods, atmospheres and stories. The collection contains arrangements of works by Joplin, Dvořák, Brahms, Mendelssohn and others, as well as newly commissioned pieces by Elena Kats-Chernin, Greg Harradine, Heather Percy, Merryl Neille, Sally Greenaway, Jolin Jiang, Rachel Laurin and Gary Schocker.

As the title suggests, the pieces all celebrate the lyrical qualities of the flute, encouraging learning players to develop a strong, singing tone and providing opportunities for legato playing. There are also some rhythmical challenges, such as syncopations and ties, and a vast variety of articulation details including staccatos and accents. The pieces span a range of around two octaves and use key signatures of up to three sharps and flats. As such this is ideal learning material for students of around Grade 3 to 4 standard.

I particularly enjoyed the three pieces by Elena Kats-Chernin, which explore three contrasting characters inspired by a cat. Sally Greenaway’s Milonga Danza del Anhelo provides an opportunity to explore irregular beat patterns within the context of an Argentinian Dance, and Greg Harradine’s two compositions have well-shaped melodic lines which are fun to play. It’s great to see a good gender balance between the composers, and there are some real gems in this volume, which younger players are likely to enjoy.