Staff Pick
“Fun music for six flutes!”
There's plenty of energy in this bustling piece. A blues-type stride bass underpins the syncopated rhythms of the upper parts which are themselves interspersed with sweeping scales. It's constantly on the move, coming to rest only once before continuing on its breathless way. This is more of a challenge for the ensemble rather than needing a great deal of technical expertise, so the fun is all in putting it together. Enjoyable all round!
A light-hearted character study, SPY! by Gay Kahkonen is sort of Bugs Bunny meets 007 for flutes. Its wild chromaticism winds each performer through the flute’s entire range while its spunky rhythms keep everyone hopping. Sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Difficulty guide: 6-8
Difficulty level, roughly compared to ABRSM exam grades. 0 is total beginner, 9 is advanced (beyond grade 8).
