I wasn’t quite sure where to post this one, but I thought of you, @jen, when I read it, and remembered how you have attempted to broaden my appreciation for the instrument.
This sounds like a project of epic proportions.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/01/03/claire-chase-taps-the-primal-power-of-the-flute
Or perhaps it is you who is broadening my appreciation… and who could resist the flute after reading that article? 😊
Thanks, Rose! This evening I’ll be listening to this:
@capriccio, well, that’s not an easy question to answer 😊.
This album is fascinating, but for me it’s a real mixed bag.
Claire Chase’s playing is superb throughout, I love the varied colours and timbre she gets from the different flutes, and the clean acoustic of the recording.
I was previously familiar only with the Reich and the Varèse, and her performances of these are stunning, particularly the precision and delicacy with which she plays the Reich.
But why programme the Reich and Glass on the same album? On its own I’d enjoy the Glass (and I’m intrigued by its title)… but it really doesn’t stand up well in this comparison. I’d be interested to hear your views on this.
As to the two works for flute and electronics, well, these are so far out of my comfort zone that I can’t comment…
But the standout work for me is Marcos Balter’s Pessoa for Bass Flute. What an astonishing sound world, like a choir of six whales singing counterpoint. I’m so pleased to have my new speakers to properly hear this. Is it classical music? I don’t know… but I love it!
Decompressing now with a recent release of Telemann’s fantasias for solo flute, played here on recorder:
https://app.idagio.com/albums/telemann-12-solo-fantasias
I’ve been reading up a little on Glass’ Piece in the shape of a square and understand it is a work for two flautists and 24 music stands. Perhaps it would work better for me if I saw it performed? Will listen again with this in mind 🤔
In the meantime here is another wonderful little piece for flute by Telemann. The whole, recently released, album has been mentioned elsewhere on these forums, but I’m utterly smitten with this canon for two flutes (played here on two violas instead 😊)
