Paige's Published Flute Arrangements & Compositions
EVENTIDE SOLILOQUY
Eventide Soliloquy, by Paige Dashner Long, is an original composition that features each instrument of the flute family in a musical soliloquy. The piece showcases the
beautiful colors of a flute orchestra as well as each different type of flute, in a variety
of musical styles. Scored for piccolo, concert flutes 1-4, alto flute, bass flute with
optional contrabass flute, this new work is a great addition to flute choir repertoire and
is published by Falls House Press.
The inspiration and dedication of this piece is in loving memory of Sean Callan MacDonald, the composer’s son, who died unexpectedly August, 2010. Eventide Soliloquy is Sean's life in song. Life begins during a swirling January snowstorm as the alto flutes play a beautiful, gentle melody. The bass flutes answer in response before the entire ensemble joins in the beginning theme. The opening theme consists of the musical letters of Sean's name (E- A perfect 4th interval) Next, you will hear a very happy, bright theme, as you imagine an energetic child, Sean, skipping along enjoying life. As this allegro theme, gently slows, the contrabass/bass flute plays a mournful melody, depicting the sadness of a young teenager being diagnosed with a difficult disease, type 1 diabetes. Eight bars later, the piccolo enters the dialogue of the contrabass/bass soliloquy with a beautiful obbligato melody on top of the contrabass. These are tears of a mother, crying for her son. But, we get on with life and make the most of the precious time we have together. Next enters a jazzy blues section where you can see Sean smile and picture him improvising on trombone. As the jazz slows, another beautiful melodic soliloquy, played by the concert flute and inspired by one of Sean’s favorite Mussorgsky themes, ends the work with a very calm and gentle melody, as Sean was such a gentle spirit.
Trained as a classical trombonist, music educator and jazz musician, Sean had a great sense of humor and a sparkling wit, with an amazing repertoire of original silly songs. He inspired hundreds of young musicians through his creative teaching approaches and lively performances. This piece celebrates Sean’s life, just as his presence here with us has touched our hearts. The Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, in summer residence at New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, premiered Eventide Soliloquy during the 10th anniversary season of the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival. On July 24, 2011, at 5:00pm, in New England Conservatory’s historic Jordan Hall, the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra performed the premiere of Eventide Soliloquy. This is so fitting as, Sean performed many concerts on the Jordan Hall stage during his brief life, as well attending his mother’s concerts in Jordan Hall.
The cover picture of the Falls House Press publication is a moon rise over Flagler Beach in Florida, one of Sean’s favorite beaches.
At the end of the piece, the piccolo has an option of playing the final B an octave lower. If choosing the higher B, one might try the following optional fingering, which is very stable and easy to control. LH 1,2,3 RH 1,2,3 No L thumb or R pinky. Optional beginning ends at the third beat of measure 8. The work can simply begin with the alto flute solo at the pick up to measure 9.
Respighi’s Passo mezzo e Mascherada
From Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No 1
Arranged for flute ensemble by Paige Dashner Long
Respighi’s Mascherada from Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No 1 is now available for
flute ensemble, published by Falls House Press. The arrangement, premiered on
July 25, 2010 by the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival
Orchestra in New England Conservatory’s renowned Jordan Hall, is scored for Flute 1,
Flute 2, Flute 3, Flute 4, Flute 5, Alto Flute and Bass Flute, with optional Contrabass
Flute.
Ottorino Respighi (Bologna 1879- Rome 1936) was fascinated with early lute music, studying in particular the transcribed works of Oscar Chilesotti (1848-1916). Chilesotti transcribed several sixteenth and seventeenth century dances and airs for the lute. Respighi, a scholar of musical antiquity, choose several of these lovely ancient airs and dances, making three suites, each comprised of four movements. Using modern harmonies and orchestration, Respighi beautifully crafted these suites for chamber orchestra, each receiving enthusiastic response from audience and musicians. With a simple melodic line and rich orchestration, Respighi’s unique talent and skill are showcased in these spirited compositions.
Passo mezzo e Mascherada from Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No 1 is the fourth movement of his delightful first suite. You will notice two contrasting sections: a fast paced passo mezzo and a light Italian 16th century secular choral song (villanella) or mascherada, which was typically sung at masked balls.
With careful attention to dynamic contrast, articulation and tempi changes, Passo mezzo e Mascherada beautifully showcases the different colors of a flute ensemble.
Welcome to the masquerade ball!
MARTIN’S MIXING THE MALT
Arranged for flute ensemble by Paige Dashner Long
Peter Martin’s energetic Mixing the Malt is now available for expandable flute ensemble. Arranged by internationally known flutist Paige Dashner Long, this work can be performed by a minimum of flute quartet (Flute 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, and C alternate alto flute/alto flute) or expanded to any number of flutes up to full flute orchestration of piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, Alto Flute, Bass Flute with optional contrabass flute and optional percussion.
Parts for Flute 1, Flute 2 and Flute 3 are identical in both the quartet and expanded flute orchestration, but the C alternate alto flute/alto flute part(s) in the quartet setting is slightly edited for optimum performance by flute quartet. The scores also reflect these minor differences. Be sure to select the score and C alternate alto flute/alto flute part that you prefer. Conductors who are using percussion may prefer to use a score without percussion for less page turns. Scores are available for flute quartet (no percussion), expanded flute orchestra and expanded flute orchestra with percussion.
Optional percussion parts include: Tenor Drum or Bodhran (traditional Irish Drum), Triangle, Woodblock, and Timpani. Select them all or just choose those that you prefer. It’s also fun to add Penny Whistle to the Flute 1 part.
Dedicated to the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, in summer residence at New England Conservatory in Boston, this ensemble, directed by Paige, is pictured here on tour in Ireland. The Metropolitan Flute Orchestra performed Martin’s Mixing the Malt during their concert as part of the National Flute Association Convention in New York City on Friday, August 14, 2009.
Easily affordable, the score is $5.95 and each individual part is $1.00. Have your music immediately through www.SibeliusMusic.com.
- Mixing the Malt, Flute Orchestra arrangement
- Mixing the Malt, Flute Quartet arrangement
- MP3 sample of Mixing the Malt
With SibeliusMusic.com you will be prompted to download a free Scorch plug-in. Then you’re set to purchase and print your music. Remember to select the desired score and C alternate alto flute / alto flute part that goes with the score you’ve selected. Score choices include: Full Flute Orchestration with percussion; Full Flute Orchestration without percussion; or Flute Quartet Score. Remember that the C alternate alto flute part /alto flute part is slightly different for the quartet. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail Paige. Make reference to flute in the subject line of the e-mail.
BACH’S SINFONIA to Cantata No 29
Arranged for flute ensemble by Paige Dashner Long
Soon to be published
J.S. Bach’s magnificent Sinfonia to Cantata No 29 “Wir danken dir Gott, wir danken dir” – “We thank you God; we thank you” will soon be available for flute ensemble. The arrangement, premiered on July 26, 2009 by the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival Orchestra in New England Conservatory’s renowned Jordan Hall, is scored for Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Flute 3, Alto Flute and Bass Flute, with optional Contrabass Flute. Originally scored for chamber orchestra in D Major, Paige has arranged this work in C Major, showcasing the very bottom of the flute range.