Wednesday 26th June 2024

Philippe Gaubert (1879-1941) Trois Aquarelles for Flute, Cello and Piano

The Trois Aquarelles (“Three Watercolours”) were early works composed in 1915. At that time Philippe Gaubert (“Gauberto”) was serving in the French Army, but had already transitioned his musical interests from Violin to Flute, for which his solo performances and educational commitments were to become renowned. Between the world wars, Gaubert played flute with the Paris Opéra, later becoming their principal conductor. He was also principal conductor of Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire and Professor of flute at the Conservatoire de Paris.

Despite the circumstances of their composition, these aquarelles are light and elegant pieces, maybe serving Gaubert as a pastoral escape from life in the trenches. Par un clair matin (On a clear morning) feels inspired by a morning stroll in the countryside, Soir d’automne (Autumn evening), by the combined warm colours of falling leaves and setting sun, and the Sérénade (Serenade), a Spanish dance to bring the three work cycle to a more festive conclusion.

Arturo Rodríguez (1976-) Introspección for flute and piano

We can try to see the positives of our experiences of COVID, and here is a work written by Mexican composer Arturo Rodríguez in lockdown in 2020 that may not have seen the light of day otherwise. Originally composed for solo piano, and originally performed by its dedicatee Iván López Reynoso in virtual format, the flute and piano accompanied version (2021) has become the more popular format. In 2023, this work, and others, led to the release of a whole album of Rodríguez’s works in 2023 with the same title.

Rodríguez has composed for film and this filmic quality is evident in the flowing opening flute lines of Introspección, which becomes more insistent with the pervasive three-note motif of the piano forming a constant framework guiding back to a calm and sentimental conclusion.

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Libertango

Undoubtedly the best known of Piazzolla’s Tango inspired works, the gutsy “Libertango” was composed in 1974 for bandoneón. Piazzolla incorporated jazz elements into the classical tango, and this work is one of the first of this nuevo tango style. Libertango was written at the insistence in Europe to produce something more easily enjoyed by the casual, non-Argentinian listener, and its popularity and the covers by folk , pop and classical musicians in various guises and instrumentation, including with additional lyrics, and its soundtracks in films and advertising backing tracks attest to his success in meeting that brief.

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Oblivion

Composed in 1983 as a soundtrack for the film Henry IV, this is more classically tango structured than Libertango. Oblivion begins in a melancholic mood with a slow moving melody and is elegantly sorrowful throughout; music from the heart.

Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) Medley

Famous for over 400 film scores and in excess of 100 stand-alone works with a classical genre, Ennio Morricone was an Italian composer, pianist and jazz trumpet player with a legacy of highly recognisable music in many styles. Probably most popularly associated with the “Spaghetti Western” Genre, Morricone scored all 70 of Sergio Leone’s later films, but his contribution extended over many film styles and directors, being nominated for 6 Academy Awards, and winning one (for “The Hateful Eight”) in 2015.

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) Sonata in C major for flute and piano, In. 620

Best known for some of his 75 Operas, Donizetti also wrote other classical works including 16 symphonies, 193 songs, 45 duets, 3 oratorios, 28 cantatas and a number of chamber pieces. There are 5 sonatas among these chamber works, of which this C major Sonata from 1819 is a two-movement romantic work with a slow Largo opening and a lively Allegro conclusion.

Marvin Hamlisch (1944-2012) Through the Eyes of Love (from Ice Castles)

“Ice Castles”, a film from 1978 directed by Donald Wrye, tells the romantic story of Alexis Winston who is a 16-year old talented ice-skater and her challenges to overcome a life changing injury. The main theme of the film, “Through the Eyes of Love” was nominated for an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe (with the original artist Melissa Manchester singing the lyrics). The instrumental version also features as a Ballad in the film at a key emotional climax.

John Williams (1932-) A.I. Artificial Intelligence Theme

Perhaps a little before the current popular debate on the safety of Artificial Intelligence, the Stephen Spielberg film “A.I: Artificial Intelligence” from 2001 describes an era in which realist robotic children bond with mothers who have lost or cannot have their own children. In the film the “Mecha” David is adopted by Monica as a substitute for her own son who contracts an incurable disease, but when a cure is discovered before his death, the the human-robot relationship is challenged. The main theme composed by soundtrack legend John Williams was nominated for an Academy Award (unfortunately in the same year as The Lord Of The Rings was also nominated), a Golden Globe and a Grammy.

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) West Side Story Medley

Many of the themes from Bernstein’s 1957 musical have become popular ear-worms that are difficult to escape from once sung, whistled or hummed! Just think of “America”, “Maria”, “Tonight”, “I feel Pretty”, “Somewhere” or “Something’s Coming” and you are hooked.

Loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story creates a Montague and Capulet-like rivalry and a love affair between the racially discriminated gangs: the Sharks with a Puerto-Rican heritage, and the Jets, a White American gang in Manhattan, New York.