Staff Pick
“A good piece!”
This is a very useful piece from the American composer Katherine Hoover, who is rapidly expanding her portfolio of original works for flute. Clowing Around is very-well crafted and can be played by 4 or many flutes as it was at the NFA convention in 2011. On that occasion it was choreographed, adding a further dimension to the performance. The percussion part is basic but played well can add a real rhythmic drive to the fluid part writing. There is saftey in numbers here, with flutes 1 and 2 playing off against flutes 3 and 4 and the swing style is reflected in both the harmony and the melody. There's nothing too high either with the result that it's all very playable and very enjoyable.
Hoover's latest opus for multiflutes is presented as a quartet, but is designed for any number of flutes. In fact, its first appearance was in Central Park (New York), and its first performance was at the 2011 NFA Convention, with all attendees invited to join in. An optional alto flute part was added, as well as a percussion line. Hoover even suggests that, "with the steady rhythm and light nature of this piece, the percussion part may be better performed by a tap dancer! For intermediate to advanced.
Difficulty guide: 4-7
Difficulty level, roughly compared to ABRSM exam grades. 0 is total beginner, 9 is advanced (beyond grade 8).
