16.
ANDREW DOWNES PUBLISHED WORKS
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE flutes
SONATA FOR 8 FLUTES OR FLUTE CHOIR Opus 58 (1996) 27' View
Score
To hear a performance of Sonata for 8 Flutes or Flute Choir, click: movement 1 movement 2 movement 3 movement 4 movement 5
5 concert flutes, piccolo (written in the flute 2 part - in the choir
version, when the piccolo is playing, the other second flutes are
redistributed) 2 alto flutes, 1 bass flute.
(5 movements)
Commissioned by Margaret Lowe in recognition of the great flute maker, Albert
Cooper, with funds contributed, with affection and esteem for Albert, by
numerous eminent flautists, groups and businesses, including Brannen Brothers
Flutemakers Inc. and James Galway.
The world premiere took place on 18th August 1996 at the Convention of the USA
National Flute Association, at the Mariott Marquis, New York. The Association's
Professional Flute Choir performed the work. The first British and first solo
octet performance took place in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham on 20th
October 1996. At both premieres the conductor was Carol Kniebusch Noe.
Many performances of this work have since taken place throughout the world,
particularly in America North and South, for example by Flute Choirs at the
Universities of Michigan, Oregon, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia, West
Virginia, Florida, Georgia and California, by Flute Choirs in Houston, Portland
and Washington, Boston, New Jersey and by the National Flute Orchestra of
Venezuela. Performances have taken place in Japan, Australia, France and Norway,
as well as many in the UK. It has twice been performed at the Stratford
International Flute Festival (1997 and 1999), twice by the National Flute Choir
of Great Britain (2010 and 2011), and several times at the USA National Flute
Association Convention in different cities in the USA, for example Caesar’s
Palace, Las Vegas, in 2012 by the Pacific Flute Ensemble from Long Beach,
California. In April 1999 the James Madison University Flute Choir of
Virginia visited England and played the work in Birmingham, Henley in Arden and
Worcester Cathedral. The following January (2000) they made a CD of Andrew
Downes flute music, including this work, and in March 2000 performed the work
in a concert devoted entirely to Andrew Downes flute music. To
purchase this CD, click here
This recording of the Sonata was broadcast on Rhubarbradio.com in October 2011,
and the work has been broadcast many times on Musicians Page Radio, Los
Angeles, USA.
The Massachusetts Flute Choir have also recorded the work for CD . To purchase this CD, click here
UpTown Flutes, virtuoso flute ensemble from New Jersey, recorded the sonata
for CD in 2009. To purchase this CD, contact Lynwood Music
'Its cool, chaste sounds rhythmically spiced, the Sonata is yet another example
of how aptly Downes' music sits in its chosen medium.'
THE BIRMINGHAM POST
'..truly a masterpiece in flute ensemble literature... He writes with a clear
understanding of the flute's melodic and technical capabilities as well as the
variety of colours and contrasts possible in the flute family of instruments...
In harmonic, rhythmic and formal content the piece is well crafted and the
melodies linger long after hearing. This is the first work of major length
written for flute choir. All flute choirs are encouraged to enjoy this fine
composition, as it is accessible to choirs of varying standards.'
Carol Kniebusch Noe for PAN and FLUTEWISE magazines
'This Sonata will be a success wherever it is performed, whether for flute choir or for 8 players.' Derek Haylings PAN and FLUTEWISE magazines
'The commissioning of a substantial work for flute choir is quite a landmark. Andrew Downes' Sonata for 8 Flutes or Flute Choir seems to have achieved the impossible with all parts of equal importance and audibility - the bass flute can show off in all three octaves... Christopher Paul Money, PAN magazine
'The performance (by the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte Flute Choir) went very well. The audience
was thrilled with the Sonata, and much praise was received afterwards.
You have composed a major addition to the Flute Choir repertoire. Our
thanks!' Letter to the composer from Mark Thomas, Founder of the
USA National Flute Association.
See also Discography for details of the CD
recordings of this work by the James Madison University Flute Choir, conducted
by Carol Kniebusch Noe, the Massachusetts Flute Choir, conducted by Danielle
Boudrot, and UpTown Flutes, virtuoso flute ensemble.
Recorded
samples of Andrew Downes' music and how to order CDs and videos
FANTASIA FOR ALTO & BASS FLUTE SOLOS
WITH 5 PART CONCERT FLUTE CHOIR ACCOMPANIMENT Opus 63 (1998) 16'
View
Score
To hear a performance of this work, click here
Commissioned by Margaret Lowe for the 'Birmingham Flute Commission' and
premiered on l8th April 1999, at a special Flute Day at Birmingham
Conservatoire, by soloists Clare Southworth and Gary Woolf and the Birmingham
Flute Ensemble, conducted by Carol Kniebusch Noe.
First American performance by the James Madison University Flute Choir of
Virginia, directed by Carol Kniebusch Noe, in the Wilson Hall of James Madison
University, on 31st March 2000. Performed by the Massachusetts High School
Flute Choir, directed by Danielle Boudrot, in April 2000. Recorded for CDs by both
of these American flute choirs. The work has been broadcast many times on
Musicians Page Radio, Los Angeles, USA.
To purchase James Madison University Flute Choir CD entitled Sounds and Colors II, (devoted entirely to the flute choir music of Andrew Downes), click here
To purchase Massachusetts High School Flute Choir CD entitled Pastorale Sounds, (featuring the flute choir music of Andrew Downes), click here
Subsequent performers of this work include the West Michigan Flute Orchestra in their Fall Concert, November 2003.
Recorded
samples of Andrew Downes' music and how to order CDs and videos
TONE POEM: SONG OF THE EAGLE Opus 71 (1999) 12' View
Score
FOR FLUTE CHOIR
To hear a performance of Song of the Eagle, click here
Commissioned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the James Madison University Flute
Choir, one of the oldest flute choirs in the USA, founded by Carol Kniebusch
Noe. The choir recorded the work for a special CD devoted to Andrew
Downes' Flute Music in January 2000. This recording has been broadcast
many times on Musicians Page Radio, Los Angeles, USA.
To purchase this CD, click here
The first concert performances took place on 31st March and 1st April 2000 in the Wilson Hall of James Madison University, Virginia. The UK premiere was on Sunday 13th November 2005 as part of the First National Flute Choir Day in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. The performance was given by the Birmingham Flute Ensemble with American guests and augmented by students from Millikin University, Illinois and Birmingham Conservatoire, and was conducted by Carol Kniebusch Noe. The work was performed at the Convention of the US National Flute Association in New York by the Texas Woman's University/ Brookhaven Flute Choir, directed by Pamela Youngblood, in 2009. In June 2013, ‘Flautissimo’ – Southampton Flute Orchestra - conducted by Joanna Price, performed the work in a British Flute Society event at Winchester Discovery Centre, Hampshire.
'It is an extraordinarily beautiful work, with moods alternating between
calm reflection and wilder moments of joy. Piccolo solos float above the
lower flutes, suggesting the freedom of the eagle soaring above the vast open
spaces of America. There are amazing rhapsodic arpeggio figures in the
main body of the choir. The effect is continuous flowing sound,
apparently without a moment to breathe, but the phrases are so well dovetailed
between the parts that no-one has to last for more than two bars at a
time.' Alison Uren for 'PAN' MAGAZINE
Recorded
samples of Andrew Downes' music and how to order CDs and videos
SYMPHONY No.5 Scored for Flute Orchestra Opus 79 (2002) 35' View Score
Commissioned by Margaret Lowe, with funds from the Awards for All programme. Premiered by the Birmingham Flute Ensemble, conducted by Carol Kniebusch-Noe, at the Birmingham Flute Day at Birmingham Conservatoire on March 17th 2002, with financial assistance provided by the Brannen-Cooper Fund. The American premiere was given on 18th August 2002 at the Convention of the USA National Flute Association in Washington DC by the US National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir, conducted by Carol Kniebusch Noe. Numerous subsequent performances have taken place: for example two performances at the 2002 Stratford International Flute Festival (in the Guild Chapel, Stratford upon Avon and in St Edmund’s Church Shipston-on-Stour, both conducted by Jenny Brooks); at Jeanne Baxtresser’s International Masterclass in Pittsburgh PA (2003 mvt II); at Grand Rapids, by the West Michigan Flute Association conducted by Darlene Dugan (2002, 2003 and 2012); in the Rowe Recital Hall of UNC Charlotte, by the UNC Charlotte Flute Choir, directed by Mark Thomas (2003); and in Evanston Illinois by the Northwestern University Flute Orchestra (2007 and 2011). The National Flute Orchestra of Mexico, conducted by Jenny Brooks, performed the Symphony at the Xochipilli Concert Hall in the Escuela National de Musica, Mexico City in April 2004. Excerpts from the symphony, conducted by Jenny Brooks, were performed at the first National Flute Choir Day in the Adrian Boult Hall Birmingham (November 2005), and the whole work was performed by the USA National Flute Association High School Flute Choir, conducted by Jenny Brooks, at the USA National Flute Convention in Albuquerque in August 2007.
'... the daring idea to compose a work for large-scale flute orchestra...
the talented forces of a special ten-voice ensemble, some 30 strong, assembled
to premiere Andrew Downes Fifth Symphony. Commissioned to crown Birmingham
Flute Commission’s Flute Day.., this substantial piece is immediately
attractive, often minimalist in its rhythmic patterning and had the visual
delight of featuring two contrabass flutes' - THE BIRMINGHAM POST
'... Andrew Downes’ voice is very much his own. We must be grateful to him for a major contribution to the flute ensemble repertoire.' Kenneth Bell PAN MAGAZINE
'... Andrew Downes again demonstrates his deep appreciation for the instrument.' Chris Wilson PAN MAGAZINE
'... We were all sent our parts ahead of time... there was no way we could have known how glorious this piece would be ... Putting it all together in that first rehearsal was unforgettable!' Sharyn Byer THE (USA) FLUTIST QUARTERLY
MOUNTAIN SONG Tone Poem for Flute Choir, Harp (or Piano) and String Bass Opus 84 (2003) 10’ View Score
To hear a performance of Mountain Song, played by the Columbia Flute Choir (Washington DC) click here
Commissioned by Nancy Spidel and the Colorado Flute Orchestra, and first performed in the Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, Longmont, Colorado on 20th December 2003, with a subsequent performance in December 2006. The Colorado Flute Orchestra, with Kathy Moore, harp, and Chris Engleman, bass, were conducted by Nancy Spidel. The Colorado Flute Orchestra performed the work again at the 2007 USA National Flute Convention in Albuquerque. The Columbia Flute Choir, directed by Sharyn Byer, gave performances at the Columbia Flute Choir Festival in November 2004 and at the USA National Flute Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in August 2006. The Texas Woman's University/Brookhaven Flute choir, conducted by Pamela Youngblood, performed the work at the Margo Jones Performance Hall at Texas Woman's University in October 2009.
SONATA FOR FLUTE & PIANO; SONATA FOR PICCOLO
& PIANO See Solo Instrument with
Piano P.12
LOST LOVE - flute, cello, piano, soprano voice - See under Song Cycles Page 3