Flute Concerto
(2022) | 24 minutes
Commissioned by Dolce Suono Ensemble, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Annapolis Chamber Orchestra, Allentown Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Youth Orchestra of San Antonio, with generous support from Carolyn and James Barnshaw and Jonathan S. Tobin
SCORING 2 (picc.). 2. 2. 2 / 2201 (tuba or bs. tbn.: this part may be omitted if needed) / timp / 1 perc (glock, xyl, vib, crotale, SD) / hp / solo flute / str
ALSO AVAILABLE
For flute and piano arranged by the composer
PREMIERE
8 May 2022, Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Alexandria, Virginia, by Mimi Stillman, flute, and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Chamber Orchestra conducted by Col. Jason K. Fettig.
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Listen / Watch
Timestamp
I. Irises (0:00) · II. Capriccio (9:30) · III. Arioso (13:02) · IV. Toccata (19:00)
Programme Note
Zhou Tian (b. 1981)
Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (2022)
I. Irises
II. Capriccio
III. Arioso
IV. Toccata
Irises. Capriccio. Arioso. Toccata. These are four movements that infuse my Flute Concerto, written for long-time musical partner Mimi Stillman. From tranquil meditations to wild rituals, the concerto explores the diversity of musical styles through reflection on the flute’s long and rich heritage (hence the baroque-inspired subtitles). There are hints of my musical lineage from Barber to Piston to traditional Chinese music, as I sought a coexistence of clarity of form with passionate expression, exploring the richness of orchestral timbre yet always embracing purity of line.
The work begins with “Irises,” a movement of mixed moods of long singing lines and airy dances. The flower makes me think about the flute – sensuous and yet strong. “Capriccio” is a scherzo in perpetual motion. The rapid, repeated notes and the concise form drew its inspiration from Baroque dance pieces. “Arioso” is a meditation. As the soloist joins the plush strings, dashing harp and woodwinds, the sonic color is altered frequently, masking the hinted atonality in the melody with romanticism. “Toccata,” the finale, is a virtuosic dance. An accumulation of materials sends the piece to a climax at the end.
Flute Concerto was commissioned for flutist Mimi Stillman by Dolce Suono Ensemble, Marine Chamber Orchestra of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band (Col. Jason K. Fettig, Music Director), Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle (Lorenzo Muti), Annapolis Chamber Orchestra (J. Ernest Green), Allentown Symphony Orchestra (Diane Wittry), Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra (Eckart Preu), Portland Symphony Orchestra (Eckart Preu), and Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (Troy Peters), with generous support from Carolyn and James Barnshaw and Jonathan S. Tobin.
©Zhou Tian
Reviews
“A remarkable fusion of artistic mastery.”
—The Flute View
“The evening’s centerpiece was Zhou Tian’s Flute Concerto, which he wrote for Stillman. Stillman is a multifaceted, award-winning flutist who is also the founding artistic director of the Dolce Suono Ensemble and a faculty member at Temple University in Philadelphia. She spoke briefly about the piece, explaining that Zhou’s writing reflects on the flute tradition in various cultures, such as the Baroque, as well as French, American and Chinese cultures.
Zhou’s gift for melody was apparent from the first movement, entitled ‘Irises.’ This was the lengthiest movement, opening with an impressionistic-like canvas of lush orchestral sounds and floating themes for the flute, followed by a section of nonstop virtuosities. The bright orchestral colors included the glimmering sounds of harp, glockenspiel, vibraphone and xylophone.
But above all, the concerto was a real showpiece for this flutist, who soared effortlessly through its wide-ranging melodies, runs and trills. The second movement, ‘Capriccio,’ was a scherzo, with syncopated, slightly jazzy rhythms. Stillman’s phrases on flute were echoed in trumpet, a vibrant touch.
Stillman played with mesmerizing artistry in the slow movement, ‘Arioso,’ offering a breathtaking display of arpeggios and communicating with beautiful tone. The movement built to a sumptuous climax. The finale, a ‘Toccata,’ was vibrant and driving.”
—Cincinnati Business Courier
Recording
ASPIRE: “The President’s Own” at 225
Mimi Stillman, flute
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Chamber Orchestra
Col. Jason K. Fettig, conductor
Works for flute
- Flute Concerto
- Irises (flute & piano)
- Viaje (flute & string orchestra)
- Viaje (flute & string quartet)
- Viaje (flute, cello, piano)
- Hidden Grace (flute, viola & harp)
- Reading an Anthology of Chinese Poems… (flute, viola, harp & narrator)
- Duet (flute & piano)