Top 5 Pieces for Flute Players - written by Kia for Flutewise
Gluck - Dance of the Blessed Spirits
Liz will remember this! It was one of the very first pieces I played to an audience, in a Flutewise masterclass for Jeanne, in the good old days of Corsica Hall. I was SO nervous. I have no idea what happened there or why but I really caught the bug for playing. It's a great solo to play and one which you can keep gong back to at different stages.
Prokofiev - Sonata
In my mind probably the best piece we've got. And we're so proud of it. It was written for us flute players but it's so good that every other violinist plays it as too! Technically difficult but musically rewarding, clearly Prokofiev with his distinctive harmonies and melodies, it's got everything.
OK - I'll admit it - it even sounds good on the violin!
Reinecke - Concerto
I love this piece! It was the last work I learnt with my wonderful teacher David Nicholson before leaving college. It's absolutely packed full of melodies and also quite a few notes to get your fingers around and remind you why you practice your scales!
Debussy - Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp
Debussy seemed to know what he was doing when it comes to writing for the Flute. Think of Syrinx and the Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. Maybe you don't know the Sonata though; it's a wonderful piece of chamber music written beautifully for all three instruments.
Ravel - Daphnis and Chloe
Just amazing. Very flutey and very exciting. If you can, go and listen to the complete version with a score from the library and see what I mean. It's long but there's a gem of a solo for the flute every 5 minutes! If you do orchestral auditions then it is one of those pieces which will crop up again and again... However, playing it with an orchestra is such a treat and I haven't got close to getting bored of it.