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 18 August 1996 at the Convention
of the US National Flute Association in 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. 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.
The Massachusetts Flute Choir recorded the work for CD in the same year. 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.
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. 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.
'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 Grand Rapids, West Michigan (2002 and 2003); at Jeanne Baxtresser’s International Masterclass in Pittsburgh PA (2003 mvt II); by the West Michigan Flute Association conducted by Darlene Dugan (2003); 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 ScoreTo 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