Sonata in C# minor for Flute and Piano, Op. 64

Mel Bonis's Sonata is becoming an increasingly established part of the flute's repertoire, and this new urtext edition is a welcome publication. First performed by Louis Fleury and the composer herself, who was an excellent pianist, at the Salle Pleyel in Paris in 1905, this is a useful addition to the Romantic flute repertoire.

As the preface states, the manuscript of the work was lost, and the first edition, printed in 1904, had several errors, including discrepancies between the flute part and the score. This edition aims to correct these errors, consolidating the information to create greater consistency throughout. The score is edited by Wilfried Lingenberg, and detailed critical notes are provided to allow players to understand why specific decisions have been made.

The edition is well presented, with practical page turns in the flute part, and printed on cream paper. It is useful to now have a choice of editions available, if nothing else to be able to compare the approaches of different editors, and the improved accuracy from the first edition is welcome.

Bonis' Sonata is a relatively substantial work with 4 movements and is full of warmth and expression. The choice of C# minor for the tonic key is perhaps unusual for flute repertoire of the time and presents some technical challenges (not least the evenness of tone and intonation in the middle register). The opening Andantino has a strong sense of dialogue with the piano and the flute's phrases are often short and highly expressive. This is followed by a dazzling scherzo, with playful interactions and an appealing sense of lightness. The mood changes for the Adagio, with its wistful and almost nostalgic opening giving way to a greater sense of turbulence. The Finale brings together themes from earlier in the work to bring the work to a dramatic close.

This Sonata is appearing more and more frequently in recital programmes and deserves its place in the mainstream repertoire. This new urtext edition is a good step forward in its dissemination and well worth exploring.