Flute and Piano Masterpieces is my new CD which includes three of the most compelling and important works of the flute repertoire. The CD begins with the beautiful and challenging work by Franz Schubert, Introduction and Variations on a Theme of Trockne Blumen, which means faded flowers. Schubert was born on January 31, 1797 and died at the young age of 31 on November 19, 1828. During his short lifetime, Schubert had a small group of friends and musicians who admired his compositions, but most of his music was neither published or performed during his lifetime. He had difficulty in keeping regularly employed, and was dependent financially on his friends. In addition he had health problems and his spirits wavered between happy and morose. Schubert composed some 600 lieder, or songs during his lifetime. He also composed nine symphonies and some of the most iconic chamber music ever composed. It was only after his death that he became named " King of Melodies." Many of Schubert's songs were inspired by poems of Wilhelm Muller. Among these are Die Schone Mullerin - and Winterreise. He also was inspired by a poetry collection Schwanengesang, all of which helped to establish the genre. Die Schone Mullerin, The Millers Fair Daughter - songs were composed in November of 1823. Two months later, in January 1824, he took the music from the 18th song of this cycle and created this work for flute and piano. This work may well be a reflection of Schubert's short and difficult life. The piece begins with a sad and mournful Introduction in E minor. Next comes the Theme, again in E minor, followed by seven variations. Of particular beauty to me is variation three, which includes some of the most beautiful music of the work. Flutists of the 19th Century were thrilled to have a rare great romantic work, from one of the most talented composers ever. The variations go back and forth between major and minor, happiness and sad reflection, and include two variations which are challenging technically. The work ends on an optimistic and exciting seventh variation in E major. This is the poem by Wilhelm Muller, which was Schubert's inspiration: Dry Flowers by Wilhelm Muller All you flowers That she gave me Shall go with me Into the grave. Who look at me so sadly, As if you knew my fate? You flowers all, why so bedewed? Oh, tears do not revive the green of May Do not make dead love flower again, And spring will come and winter will go And flowers will stand in the grass, And flowers will lie with me in the grave, The flowers all that she gave me. And when she passes by the mound, She will think in her heart: his love is true ! Then, little flower, spring forth, spring forth ! May has arrived, and winter is over. Carl Reinecke Undine Sonata Carl Reinecke was born the same year , 1824, that Schubert composed the Variations. He lived a long and successful life, passing away in 1910. Reinecke began composing at the age of seven, and later in life, found work as a court pianist. He studied composition with notable composers including Felix Mendelssohn and many of his most famous works are the cadenzas he composed for the concerti of Beethoven and Mozart. Reinecke also achieved great success as a conductor. His greatest success came with his appointment as Music Director of the Gewandhaus Concerts of Leipzig where he served as director for thirty - five years. The Undine Flute Sonata is perhaps his best known work. The sonata in E minor is based on the German Romantic tale found in the 19th Century novel Undine. This work, was written by Frederich de la Motte Fouque. The story became popular and was an inspiration for music, ballets, plays, art and poetry. The story tells the tale of the water spirit Undine, daughter of the King of the Sea. Sea maidens are lovelier and live longer than their mortal counterparts, where they live peacefully in crystal palaces deep beneath the waves. The only thing the water spirits lack and Undine longs for is an immortal soul. In this complex tale and to achieve an immortal soul, Undine leaves the Water Kingdom in search for love with a mortal man. In this tale, Undine leaves the Water Kingdom and is found as a child on a beach by a fisherman and his wife. Eventually Undine does find love of a mortal man, but in the end he tires of her unusual needs and she is forced to return to the sea. This sonata is filled with beautiful melodies and mimics the tumult and turmoil of Undines attempted life among mortals. In a flute repertoire where there is a dearth of romantic music composed, the Reinecke Undine Sonata is to me the most Brahm's like work in the flute repertoire. Sergei Prokofiev - Sonata in D major Sergei Prokofiev, famed Russian composer, pianist and conductor is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th Century. He lived from April 23, 1891 to March 5, 1953. He composed this work for flute and piano in 1943. It is an unusual work, as at the behest of David Oistrakh Prokofiev arranged the work for violin, one year later. Oistrakh was concerned that the work would not achieve great fame or performance as a work for flute. He of course, was wrong. The Prokofiev Sonata has become one of the major works for the flute and is played and recorded with regularity even though it is quite difficult. The work is in four movements, and has a loneliness especially in the first movement which I feel depicts the vast and far reaches of a Russian wintry landscape. The composition includes some quite difficult moments particularly in movement one, with triplet figures going up to High D in the flute. The other movements are as follows: a bright and exhilarating Scherzo -- a very beautiful third movement which requires great control on the part of the flutist. The last movement is marked Allegro con brio and is both exciting with huge leaping arpeggios and various moods, from despair to joy. The work can be performed on the violin, but even violinists will admit that the work sounds better and much more a tour de force on the flute. I hope that flutists and music lovers will enjoy my new CD.