Working with a flute orchestra presents the composer—more so than the canonical string orchestra—with the question of the common versus the singular in music. How can one bring forth differentiated sounds from a single family of instruments? How can distinct acoustic properties be layered—such as the piercing tone of the piccolo or the contrabass flute’s sound, reminiscent of a ghostly ophicleide?
Premiere
On March 25, 2010, by Julien Bourin (bass flute solo) and the Orchestre de Flûtes Français conducted by Paul Méfano at Salle Cortot.