Flute and Guitar—2002

Audio Sample (Movement 1): mp3

 
In the summer of 1999 I had the privilege of accompanying the Southeast Missouri State University marching band to Edinburgh, Scotland where they performed in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo takes place during most of the month of August. At the same time, hundreds of other performances are presented as a part of the Edinburgh Festival and the Fringe Festival. One of the groups that performed was a Bulgarian women’s choir. The group was not only technically wonderful they also sang a beautiful and unusual repertoire. These songs were primarily Bulgarian folksongs presented in sophisticated arrangements.

After returning home to the United States, I decided to make a setting of some of these folksongs for a chamber ensemble. I originally intended them as “gig” music. Many of us who perform “classical music” play background music for receptions, weddings, etc. (i.e. “gigs”). Thus far, these duos have not proven to be popular at such occasions (although I keep hoping for a call to play a Bulgarian wedding). Still, they are intended to be appealing and, for the most part, lively and festive and should provide a light addition to the recital repertoire for flute and guitar.

NOTES TO THE PERFORMERS

Both the flutist and guitarist are asked to perform a few simple extended techniques in imitation of folk playing. Most are self explanatory. The portamentos for the flute in the second and third movements should be played by using the standard fingering for the “G” and sliding the fingers of the left hand to the rims for the “A.” I used the term portamento here rather than glissando or slide because I wanted an imitation of the kind of portamento done by string players where they linger a bit on the starting note before sliding to the second pitch.

Leslie Marrs and Robert Trent included this piece on their CD: Music for Flutes and Guitar (available through CDbaby).
 

Last revision 6/12/2009 This page is maintained by Robert Fruehwald (rfruehwald@semo.edu).

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