21st Century Flute Concertos

[stewyflute13]

Hey,

I was just wondering, and this doesn't have to just stop strictly in 2000, but I'm asking; in about the last 25 years or so, what are some flute concertos or otherwise great works that You think will turn into major masterpieces for our instrument's repertoire? Well, I know this is a subjective question, because they have certainly not had time to "stand the test of time" yet, but I was just wondering what YOU Guys thought.

I've been trying to do some 'scratching the surface' research and found that Penderecki wrote a concerto in 1992 dedicated to Rampal, and that Pahud has put out a cd of recent concertos such as Dalbavie (which I like), Jarrell, and Pintscher. Bezaly has put out a great cd called "Nordic Spell" by Aho, Tomasson, and Lindberg: I especially think Kalevi Aho will be a great modern composer. And finally, I found a cd by Enzo Caroli, who plays music by pessina, R. Arnest, Zanettovich and Francaix- and Pessina's work really strikes a chord with me.

While I realize this is all speculative.. I truly think it is important for us flutists to "reach out there" and expose, explore, and promote new music for us to play.

What do y'all think?

Stewyflute

[MatekiMan]

Christopher Rouse wrote a wonderful flute concerto in 1993. Five movements with the middle movement an elegy to the memory of James Bulger, a two year old English boy abducted from a shopping mall and murdered by two ten year old boys. I attended a performance of this concerto last October in Winnipeg. I found myself weeping during the third movement and as I looked around most of the members of the audience were crying as well. If you are not familiar with this piece you should check it out.

[fluteguy18]

It isn't exactly a concerto, but it definitely takes a considerable amount of virtuosity to play well... I would say that Liebermann's Sonata for Flute and Piano (1988) is well on its way to being a standard work.

I would say that Katherine Hoover's Kokopelli (2001) and Winter Spirits (1997) are well on their way to becoming solo flute works as well.

[James_Alto]

I would say that Katherine Hoover's Kokopelli (2001) and Winter Spirits (1997) are well on their way to becoming solo flute works as well.

Really beautiful works. I'm not good with dates but maybe some of these come close to your contemporary bracket.

Sariaaho's 'Laconisme de l'aile'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP0jgLvpXE0 (orchestral)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bcg2Dzqumo (solo - starts around 45secs in)

Not to forget Denisov's flute sonata (not strictly belonging here, but with a wonderful performance by Stachinskaya)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyscs02JC2s

and one of Shostakovich's favourites - Vainberg's Flute concerto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kra73Fjk ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyscs02JC2s

[numptie]

I would say that Katherine Hoover's Kokopelli (2001) and Winter Spirits (1997) are well on their way to becoming solo flute works as well.

Really beautiful works. I'm not good with dates but maybe some of these come close to your contemporary bracket.

Sariaaho's 'Laconisme de l'aile'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP0jgLvpXE0 (orchestral)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bcg2Dzqumo (solo - starts around 45secs in)

Not to forget Denisov's flute sonata (not strictly belonging here, but with a wonderful performance by Stachinskaya)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyscs02JC2s

and one of Shostakovich's favourites - Vainberg's Flute concerto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kra73Fjk ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyscs02JC2s

Wowsers. That's some gorgeous music.

How long would it take to learn how to play this kind of repertoire?!

There's no hope for me *sob*

[fluteguy18]

Just an update:

A friend of mine is completing her Master's at Michigan State University with a degree in Composition. She's currently writing a Concerto for me, and all I can say is that it is GORGEOUS! I can't wait until it is finished and I can premier it. It's lyrical, virtuosic (will include a run in the last movement that goes up to 4th octave F), and it truly requires technical and lyrical finesse from both the soloist and the orchestra.

I don't know if it will ever get published or if it would even become a staple of the literature (unlikely because she's unknown atm), but it's great.

[lianeandflute]

Firstly: omg fg18 that is SO incredible that you are having a work written for you!!! i wish i was you! it sounds great!! and congratulations.

Anyway, about concertos.

I love Sharon Bezaly's Nordic Spell - it is one of the things I am listening to most at the moment (having bought it only a few weeks ago) and I have read in a lot of reviews that Aho seems to be one people are sure has a chance to last. But for me, at the moment anyway, the Tomasson actually stands out. I feel like it conjures up a lot of imagery, and it's incredibly fascinating to listen to. It definitely rewards repeated listening which I think means it's good for both recording and performing. There's an incredible first impression, as well as the details that, as I said before, reward repeated listening.

I can see a dream forming in my head (amongst many others...) to play the Tomasson one say. I really love it. I also love Tomasson's other flute/orchestra works.

That said, the Aho and Lindberg are also fantastic and I think all three works SHOULD be staples of the repertoire, especially Aho and Tomasson. I would ultimately love to play all three. The Aho is incredibly musical, despite the obvious virtuosity required. The Lindberg, while seemingly less "hardcore" than the Aho and Tomasson, is very enjoyable to listen to which makes me think it also has a chance.

But who knows!? Time will tell.

[lianeandflute]

that vainberg is so good!

[aeflute]

Peteris Vasks recently wrote a flute concert.

Here is the first part -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9MNGPLQGzI

I should upload also the rest....

[James_Alto]

...and of course...the John McCabe flute concerto.

Not on youtube (yet!)