Opus 691

Flute Concerto (2006)

for Solo Flute and Orchestra

2(picc).2+Eh.2+Bcl.2/4.2.2.1/2perc.pno/strings
  • Chanson
  • Fantasy Variations

Duration: 12.5 min.

Dedication: for Judith von Hopf

Commission: Commissioned by Judith von Hopf for the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

Publisher: Musik Fabrik

Performance materials available from the publisher.

Flute Concerto (2006) was commissioned by flutist Judith von Hopf and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and premiered by them under the direction of Guido Lamell. The work is in two movements: Chanson and Fantasy Variations.

The first movement, Chanson, is an extended “song” that develops through a variety of textures. The opening song material is centered around G#. In turn, this G# is revealed to be a quasi-dominant of a D centered sonority. (A brief coda returns to G#, in preparation for the D center of the second movement.)

The second movement, Fantasy Variations, is cast as two presentations of the theme surrounding five free variations, plus a coda. The theme serves as the basis of the musical material for each variation as well as the structural template for each. Also, each variation contains material referring back specifically to the previous variation.

The opening theme is declamatory and massive. The first variation is fast and limber. The second variation is introspective and stratified. The third variation is fleeting. The fourth variation is distant and spare. The fifth variation is fast and driving. The final theme begins whispered and slowly regains its declamatory nature before a brief and intense coda ends the work in a blaze.