This is a real flute-player's book as it's full of pieces associated with the Paris Conservatoire and written between 1850 and 1920. These are not the block-busters but smaller gems that have largely been forgotten. The list of composers included looks like a Who's Who of flute players of the day - Tulou, Altes, Hennebains etc - and each piece is relatively short but unmistakeably French. Some, like Tityre by Dubois are well-known but mostly they will be unfamiliar. All aspects of flute technique are challenged, from the beauiful melody in Leroux First Romance to fingerwork in the Lefebvre Scherzo but the relative brevity of the pieces will enable players to assimilate the style more easily. Additionally the editor Martha Rearick has supplied backgound information about each composer and included some wonderful illustrations.
Seventeen short solos for flute and piano by eleven composers associated with the Paris Conservatory comprise this collection. Not as difficult as the "morceaux de concours", they are charming and descriptive - a welcome addition to the repertoire for the intermediate level flutist. Composers include Pessard, Tulou, Altes, Duvernoy, and others. Interesting historical notes and a Foreword by Martha Rearick are special features of the collection. "Once again, we flutists are the beneficiaries of the remarkable work of our esteemed colleague, Martha Rearick. Her new publication, "Flute Solos from the Paris Conservatory", is one of the most enticing and valuable compendiums to be published. It is a great gift to have new pieces available to us from some of our favorite flute composers. Ms. Rearick's background information about each composer and her glossary of French music terms, make this publication a total educational and inspirational package. Congratulations to Martha Rearick and to Falls House Press!" -Jeannie Baxtresser
