I have long loved the flute. Long ago, when I was a boy playing baritone saxophone in my middle school band, I envied the flutes their small, compact and beautiful instruments. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing the 'Barry' very much. But there was something compelling about the flute that never left my imagination. So it was not surprising that, as an adult, I took the time to learn the flute.
A few years ago, I bought myself an alto flute. It is a lovely instrument--it's not too big, but it has a big sound that is lower than the normal flute. However I was disappointed to learn that there is not a lot of music written that takes advantage of this less-common instrument. So, naturally, I decided to write my own. These pieces below are a few of the various works that I have written or arranged for a flute quartet of three flutes and one alto flute. As with all of my albums and projects, this page is a work in progress and I have several other pieces that I eventually intend to add to these.
Visit the Spring Recital page to hear recordings of several of these works with my woodwind quartet. (Updated 2-16-12)
A few years ago, I bought myself an alto flute. It is a lovely instrument--it's not too big, but it has a big sound that is lower than the normal flute. However I was disappointed to learn that there is not a lot of music written that takes advantage of this less-common instrument. So, naturally, I decided to write my own. These pieces below are a few of the various works that I have written or arranged for a flute quartet of three flutes and one alto flute. As with all of my albums and projects, this page is a work in progress and I have several other pieces that I eventually intend to add to these.
Visit the Spring Recital page to hear recordings of several of these works with my woodwind quartet. (Updated 2-16-12)
 
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The Emperor QuartetThis is another of Haydn's great string quartets, rearranged for woodwinds. The form of the composition is Theme and Variations. The theme was written for the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and was originally called The Emperor's Hymn (or Kaiserhymne). It later became the national anthem for Austria and today is the the anthem for Germany (Deutschlandlied).
It's no wonder that it is still used as a national anthem--it's a beautiful melody. Haydn loved it so much that he chose to rearrange the theme for this string quartet (Op.76 No.3). Likewise, I have rearranged it for woodwind quartet. (Posted 2-16-12) I was very pleased to perform this quartet in December 2011. Click here to view the musical score (@ www.scoreexchange.com). | ||
Praeludium by J. S. BachThis piece was originally a movement from one of Bach's keyboard partitias. However, much of Bach's keyboard music is written with multiple 'voices' in mind. In fact, this is exactly one of the reasons that Bach's keyboard music can be so challenging--the performer has to play three, four or sometimes five lines of music simultaneously!
Anyway, I felt that this piece would be perfect for flute quartet because of this nature. In fact, I've divided up the main themes among all four flutes so a live performance of this piece will be as enjoyable to watch as it is to listen to; you would be able to 'see' the different musical elements being passed back and forth between the musicians. (Posted 4-7-11) Click here to view the musical score (@ www.scoreexchange.com). |
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Quartet Op. 76 No. 2, Mvmt. II by F. J. HaydnThis was the project that really began my interest in doing serious flute quartet arrangements. I had done smaller-scale projects, but when I did this one for Sonoran Flutes in 2009 I knew that I was on to something good.
The original piece has long been one of my favorite string quartets, and I spent a good bit of time trying to make convincing technical analogies on the flute for what was done on the string instruments. I think the end result is a very satisfying arrangement for winds. By the way, my current quartet will be playing this piece at my Spring Recital in May. (Posted 4-7-11) Click here to view the musical score (@ www.scoreexchange.com). | ||
Ave Verum Corpus by W. A. MozartI first heard this piece in college, but it wasn't until I heard it performed by a choir in Vienna that it's true musical worth was made clear to me. On our trip to Austria, Anali and I attended a Sunday morning service at a cathedral in Vienna, a beautiful building that dates back to before Mozart's time. We didn't understand any part of the service--it was all spoken in German. However, I bravely decided that I would take Communion with the rest of the congregation. As I made my way to the altar, the choir began to sing this piece and it was awe-inspiring. The acoustics of the cathedral and the quality of the choir (not to mention the beauty of the composition) made a perfect musical moment. I have since loved this piece.
There's no question that this piece is best performed by a choir. However, the breath-based nature of woodwinds does impart many musical similarities between the original and my arrangement. (Posted 4-7-11) Click here to view the musical score (@ www.scoreexchange.com). |
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Veni LumenThis piece isn't a classical piece, but it is still quite lovely, so I thought I'd include it in this collection. I arranged it while preparing a number of pieces to use at St. Mark's for a Taize service. Taize services emphasize the singing of chants, and this flute quartet emulates the breath and pacing of this ancient form of music.
(Posted 4-7-11) Click here to view the musical score (@ www.scoreexchange.com). | ||