This Sonatina has a duration of five minutes and three movements - an Allegretto, Andante and Jig. Commissioned by Peter Sheridan, a low flute specialist based in Australia, the piece may be played on two flutes, but is intended to bring out the colours of the upper registers of low flutes, and is ideally played on two altos or even two bases.
The music is written in a straightforward tonal style, and with a moderate level of technical demand. The Allegretto is rhythmically drawn on idiomatic patterns from the baroque era, with a two semiquaver-quaver motif featuring heavily. The parts are in rhythmic unison for most of the movement, and the moderate tempo is well suited to intermediate low flute players.
The expressive Andante features long flowing phrases, with the main melodic material in the first part, while the second part provides an accompaniment pattern of quavers and crotchets. The rhythmic unisons return for the final movement, a jig which provides a short burst of energy to end the piece.
This is a relatively simple, but well-crafted piece which is ideally suited to younger players or amateurs, and provides some enjoyment for anyone beginning an exploration of low flutes
Carla Rees
The 3-movement Sonatina is in a traditional style and an elegant addition to the repertoire. While written for alto flutes, it is equally charming to perform or program for any pair of like-size instruments.
Written to take advantage of an especially beautiful portion of the flute's range, mostly falling between first octave G and third octave F, Sonatina for Two Flutes also brings out the beautiful tone colors when played by two alto flutes or two bass flutes.
Finalist, NFA 2018 Newly Published Music, Flute Duets and Trios Category
Performance duration (approx): 5'00
