Instrument: flute and piano
Grade: conservatoire
Catalogue No: 3308flp
ISMN No: 9790570662029
Three pieces for flute with piano accompaniment, evoking the magic of the fairy tale illutrations of Arthur Rackham, widely regarded as one of the leading illustrators of the 'Golden Age' of British book illustration, from 1890 - 1918.
Composer, Eric Crees, explains:
Three sketches was originally created for flute and harp. My first memories of the harp came as a chorister at Wandsworth School performing Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols for three-part boys' choir and solo harp. I was fascinated by the wonderful range of colours and textures and the dazzling footwork necessary to operate this extraordinary instrument.
By chance I visited Dulwich Picture Gallery in February 2006 and while viewing the fantastical illustrations of Arthur Rackham (1867-1939), (mainly pen and ink with watercolours), a whole new world of almost unbelievable magical creatures and images was revealed to me - goblins, fairies, talking trees and many more: the sound of the flute and harp came to me, providing immediate evocative inspiration. These three movements are the result.
In order to give the Three Sketches as wide a range of performing opportunities as possible, this version was created for piano, in a throughly idiomatic style for the instrument with the intention that none of the evocative and musical content shoudl be surrendered, and that it should stand alone in its own right.
... 1. Allegretto (flute) • 2. Misterioso (alto flute) • 3. Molto allegro con malevolenza (flute and piccolo)
The first performance was given in July 2007 at the European Harp Symposium in the Millennium Centre. Cardiff.
The piano score is also available separately.
