Andrew Downes - Sonata for 8 Flutes or Flute Choir

Sonata for 8 Flutes or Flute Choir

Instrumentation

5 concert flutes, piccolo (written in the flute 2 part - in the choir version, when the piccolo is playing, the other second flutes are redistributed) 2 alto flutes, 1 bass flute.

Other Information


Commissioned by Margaret Lowe in recognition of the great  flute maker, Albert Cooper, with funds contributed, with affection and esteem for Albert, by numerous eminent flautists, groups and businesses, including Brannen Brothers Flutemakers Inc. and James Galway.
The world premiere took place on 18 August 1996 at the Convention of the US National Flute Association in New York. The Association´s Professional Flute Choir performed the work. The first British and first solo octet performance took place in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham on 20th October 1996. At both premieres the conductor was Carol Kniebusch Noe.
Many performances of this work have since taken place throughout the world, particularly in America North and South, for example by Flute Choirs at the Universities of Michigan, Oregon, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and California, by Flute Choirs in Houston, Portland and Washington, Boston, New Jersey, and by the National Flute Orchestra of Venezuela.    Performances have taken place in Japan, Australia and Norway, as well as many in the UK.  It has been performed at the Stratford International Flute Festival (in 1997 and 1999, directed by Jenny Brooks), and in the Barbican Centre foyer (by the King’s Flute Choir directed by Sagar Masani in 2009).  In 1999 the James Madison University Flute Choir of Virginia visited England and played the work in Birmingham, Henley in Arden and Worcester Cathedral. The following January (2000) they made a CD of Andrew Downes flute music, including this work, and in March 2000 performed the work in a concert devoted entirely to Andrew Downes flute music. The Massachusetts Flute Choir recorded the work for CD in the same year, and UpTown Flutes, virtuoso flute ensemble from New Jersey, recorded the sonata for CD in 2009.

´Its cool, chaste sounds rhythmically spiced, the Sonata is yet another example of how aptly Downes´ music sits in its chosen medium.´
THE BIRMINGHAM POST

´..truly a masterpiece in flute ensemble literature... He writes with a clear understanding of the flute´s melodic and technical capabilities as well as the variety of colours and contrasts possible in the flute family of instruments... In harmonic, rhythmic and formal content the piece is well crafted and the melodies linger long after hearing. This is the first work of major length written for flute choir. All flute choirs are encouraged to enjoy this fine composition, as it is accessible to choirs of varying standard.´
Carol Kniebusch Noe for ´PAN´ MAGAZINE

A number of commercial CD recordings of this work have been made including by the James Madison University Flute Choir, conducted by Carol Kniebusch Noe, the Massachusetts Flute Choir, conducted by Danielle Boudrot, and UpTown Flutes, virtuoso flute ensemble.