Flute impressionist musicFlute impressionist music does not contain a huge amount of repertoire for the solo flute. That has always puzzled me, because the Impressionist music movement originated in France and emphasizes atmosphere over blatant emotion, and favors smaller compositional forms, such as a nocturne over a symphony. The two major composers of this period, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, wrote little for the solo flute. The chief offering comes from Debussy, the Syrinx for Solo Flute. This piece is a "must-play" for every flutist. A less well-known French Impressionist composer, Eugene Bozza, April 4, 1905 – September 28, 1991, wrote two wonderful pieces for flute... Image for solo flute, Op. 38 I have played them both and they are gorgeous pieces. My favorite would be the Agrestide. The Image is great when you want to program a piece for unaccompanied flute. Another composer classified as an Impressionist is American, Charles Griffes, (Elmira, New York, September 17, 1884 – New York City, April 8, 1920. He wrote the Poem for Flute and Orchestra, often played on recitals with the piano accompaniment. Again, one of the highlights of the flute repertoire. The flute was utilized extensively in symphonic and chamber works during the Impressionist era.
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