FLUTASTIC - Music for flute and piano

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FLUTASTIC

Aaron Copland - Ernest Bloch - Francis Poulenc - Franz Schubert - J. S. Bach

ISTVÁN MATUZ - FLUTE

NANCY LEE HARPER . PIANO

The works presented in this CD were performed by the artists during the 5th International Piano Festival, "Celebrating the Great Pianists", on 3 July 2004, at the Teatro Aveirence, Aveiro, Portugal. The general theme of the Festival, "Cultural Crossroads" is present in the selection of the works, which includes composers from the United States of America, Switzerland, France, Austria, and Germany, and which includes various styles, from the Baroque and Classic periods until the various schools of the 20th & 21st centuries. Also performed on this recital were two world premières by young Portuguese composers, Jaime Reis and Hugo Ribeiro (both of whom received Honorable Mention in the 2nd National Composition Competition "Jorge Peixinho"), which are not presented on this CD.

Details:

THE PIECES

The Duo for Flute and Piano (1970-1971) by the North American composer, Aaron Copland, is the result of a commission in memory of flautist William Kincaid (1895-1967) by his former students and friends. The première was given by his favourite pupil, Elaine Shaffer (1925-1973) and pianist Hephzibah Menuhin (1920-1981) on 3 October 1971 in Philadelphia. The genius of the composer is clear from the first notes of the work, which affirm its American identity. The 2nd movement presents the air of a mournful song, which in spite of its simplicity, possesses rhythmical complexities. The 3rd movement is an energetic dance 

that dialogues between the instruments.

The Suite modale (1956) of Ernest Bloch is a late work of the Swiss-American composer in two versions, one for flute and strings and the other for flute and piano. The work is serene and attractive with its four movements intimately connected. It possesses clear melodic lines, rich modal harmonies, and contrapuntal mastery. It was dedicated to flutist Elaine Schaffer.

Poulenc’s delightful sonata for flute and piano was composed for flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal (1922-2000) and premiered by Rampal with the composer at the Strasbourg Festival on 17 June 1957. It has become a staple in the repertoire. The first movement, although in contemporary garb, possesses 18th-century elegance. 

The second movement is one of the most hauntingly beautiful of all of Poulenc’s works. The third movement, while revealing the composer’s humour, allows for brilliant execution of the two instruments.

The four Schubert Lieder presented here _ “Ave Maria”, “Du bist die Ruh”, “Trockne Blume”, and “Ständchen” _ are transcriptions by István Matuz of the vocal lines of these Schubert songs. Their melodic expressiveness allows them to stand on their own without vocal text.

The manuscript of Bach’s great flute and harpsichord sonata dates after 1735. It is our conviction that this majestic work is closely allied with Bach’s earlier beloved St. Matthew’s Passion, BWV 244 of 1727 (for example, the conclusion of the first part: “O Mensch, bewein, dein’ Sünde groß”, which has the same configuration rhythmically and instrumentally) and thus influences our interpretation and tempi choices. Bach’s contrapuntal mastery in the Sonata is evident throughout. The second movement encourages expressive melodic ornamentation. The final movement’s fugue concludes with a lilting gigue.

Nancy Lee Harper

Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

Duo for Flute and Piano (1971)

to the memory of William Kincaid 

1. 1. Flowing 05’14’’

2. 2. Poetic, somewhat mournful (attaca) 04’07’’

3. 3. Lively, with bounce 03’34’’ 

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)

Suite Modale for Flute and Piano (1956)

to Elaine Shaffer

4. 1. Moderato 01’55’’ 

5. 2. L\'istesso tempo 01’58’’

6. 3. Allegro giocoso 02’30’’

7. 4. Adagio/Allegro deciso/Adagio/Allegro

Meno vivo/Moderato/Poco più calmo 04’57’’

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Sonata for Flute and Piano (1956-1957)

à la Mémoire de Madame Sprague Coolidge

8. 1. Allegro malinconico 04’37’’

9. 2. Cantilena (Assez lent) 04’03’’

10. 3. Presto giocoso 03’52’’

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Lieder

arranjo de István Matuz

11. 1. “Ave Maria” 05’01’’

12. 2. “Du bist die Ruh” 04’22’’

13. 3. “Trockne Blume” 03’18’’

14. 4. “Ständchen” 03’47’’

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Sonata em si menor, BWV 1030

15. 1. Andante 10’39’’

16. 2. Large e dolce 03’07’’

17. 3. Presto 07’00’’

Total: 73’47’’

Ref.: NUM 1212