Flute concerto

Flute concerto - a classical solo for flute and orchestra displaying the technique and musicality of the flutist.

A flute concerto is a vehicle for displaying the virtuosity of a magnificent professional who is soloing with a professional orchestra.

A concerto performance opportunity is frequently a prize in a competition for young people through a university or symphony Young Artist Competition. What a fabulous experience this is! Naturally, there is a huge amount of competition, so you must work hard to win this prize.

Concerti have been composed since the late Baroque/early Classical era and are written in abundance today.

A concerto is a difficult flute solo to pull off. Think of it - a single flutist playing with an entire orchestra! It takes quite a musician to soar above that!

Baroque orchestras were much smaller, of course, but the flutes in those days were wooden instruments not capable of the powerful sound of today's metal wonders.

From the Italian Baroque school, Luigi Boccherini and Antonio Vivaldi wrote many flute concerti.

The two concerti of Mozart, No. 1 in G Major and No. 2 in D Major, are hallmarks of the flute repertoire.

Several concerti were written by C.P.E. Bach, Johann's son, for the flute.

Romantic era composers largely ignore the flute, particularly for the concerto format. Now we have to look to the 20th century for flute solos with orchestra.

Some of my favorite contemporary concerti...

One of my favorites, this composition by the Danish composer, Carl Nielsen, (1865-1931) is sweet and lyrical, accessible to audiences, fun to play while still challenging the flutist.