Baroque repertoire?

[LouisXVI]

Hello, I am very interested in learning to play the transverse flute. I am most interested in the Classical (1750-early 1800s) and Baroque (1600-1750) eras. However, I have been told that Baroque flute repertoire is very limited (and that Classical flute repertoire is contrarily very extensive). By Baroque I don't just mean High Baroque.

Do you think this person was referring to solos or pieces in which flute is of the dominant instruments? Because honestly I don't care about that, I just would like to know precisely about Baroque flute repertoire and if it is also true that Classical flute repertoire is very extensive (the contrast between the repertoires of those periods). I know that some people severely disdain people 'taking flute parts' out of pieces as if they were solos, but I don't disdain that (lol).

Also, is it possible to play music with the flute that was not intended for it? I believe so but I wonder with how many pieces/non-flute instruments this is possible? Thank you!

[LouisXVI]

No response? Thanks a lot

[pied_piper]

Try to be patient. Traffic has been a bit slow here lately.

I'm not a Baroque expert, but Baroque literature is often played on the Boehm flute. There are also a lot of players who perform Baroque music of replicas of Baroque era flutes. Hopefully someone else will chime in soon!

[zummerzet_lou]

A lot of music in the Baroque period was written for flutes ... so I'd have to disagree with what you have been told.

Lots of great composers:
Hotteterre, Barre, Loeillet, Blavet, Telemann, Bach, Leclair, to name just a few ...

http://www.flutefocus.com/45-guide-baro ... -2009.html
http://www.classical.net/music/rep/lists/baroque.php

[fluteguy18]

There is a lot of Baroque and Early Classical music for the transverse flute and recorder as well. I do believe however that your answers would be more easily answered by personal study of the era and study of the technical development of the instrument's design as well. PiedPiper gave you some great tips on which composers to begin with, but there are many more.

Yes. The flute can play pieces written for other instruments though transposition is often necessary and certain effects like double stops are not possible. I for example am working on a violin piece and am transcribing it for flute.