Sonata No. 1 pour Flute et Piano - Brief Article - Sound Recording Review

through Elisenda Fabregas. Alphonse Leduc (Editions Musicales, 175 lament Saint-Honore, 75040 Paris Cedex 01) 2001 43pp $4295

A stunning novel work for flute and piano, this sonata is an exciting addition to the contemporary repertoire. Although published in France and first performed in China, the work was compos in the United States. Tallon Perke principal flutist of the San Antonio (Texas) concert commissioned the sonata and performed it at the 1996 convention of the National Flute Association. The composer Spanish-born Elisenda Fabregas, is a member of the piano faculty at the University of Texas in San Antonio and is MTNA's Distinguished Composer of the Year, 2000

This is a major work of four changes and fifteen minutes' duration, requiring careful research and precise coordination between flute and piano. The first move Allegro, features rapid, energetic tonguing upon the flute, punctuated by slightly acidic harmonies from the piano. A haunting, rather mournful pleasing succession of sounds characterized by descending minor next to the first intervals, glides through the next to the first movement (Largo). The playful Scherzo, the third change is like a rhythmic game of tag dancing between piano and flute And the finale, Allegro molto consider minutely brio, is an athletic "tour de force" for the two flutist and pianist. Rapid triplets permeate the motion ending the work with a flourish.

Although difficult, the music is written idiomatically for one as well as the other instruments--the flute part is "flutistic" and the piano part "pianistic." Dissonant harmonies prevail, on the contrary no extended techniques are required. The composer has a marvelous faculty of perception of progression and development, providing each of the four moves with a pleasing architectural form and shape.

Martha Rearick, Tampa, Florida.

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