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French flute music
French flute music comprised the bulk of musical compositions for the flute during the 19th century. The German Romantics, Brahms, Schumann, and Schubert, largely neglected the flute, at least in solo works. The best of these French pieces has been compiled in a collection titled "Flute Music By French Composers."
These 10 flute solos were used by the Paris Conservatory for their flute competition. Many of the composers were fine flutists themselves. The winner of the competition was declared a graduate of the conservatory. It was a very prestigious honor.
The format for each piece was to begin with a slow, beautiful melody and follow with a technically flashy showpiece. This allowed the flutist to display his flute prowess in its entirety.
The pieces are...
Prelude et Scherzo, Op. 35 by Henri Busser
Concertino, Op. 107 by Cecile Chaminade
Concertino, Op. 45 by Alph. Duvernoy
Cantabile et Presto by Georges Enesco
Fantasie, Op. 79 by Gabriel Faure
Andante et Scherzo by Louis Ganne
Fantaisie by Philippe Gaubert
Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando by Philippe Gaubert
Ballade by A. Perilhou
Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino by Paul Taffanel
The most well-known of these pieces is probably the Concertino by Cecile Chaminade. It's almost a rite of passage for advanced high school flutists to perform this piece. It's a wonderful piece, to be sure, and everyone should learn it, of course, but it is quite overdone. I would learn the piece, but select another one to program on a recital or play for an audition.
The accompaniment for the Chaminade has been arranged for band, so this contributes to its frequent programming.
My favorite is the last piece, Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino by Paul Taffanel.
All of these pieces are difficult, but if you want to select the "easiest" one, I would start with the Faure Fantasie.
My least favorite? Well, they're all great, but my least favorite is probably the Duvernoy or the Perilhou.
