This is the first of a series of entries reflecting on compositions for solo woodwind, as suggested in the course material. The reflections dealing with solo woodwind compositions will be slightly shorter, however there will be space dedicated to more in depth reflection in Project 6.
The first piece I’ve chosen is for solo flute and is titled Pièce by eclectic French composer Jacques Ibert (1890-1962)1 Ibert is known for the variety of his content in terms of style, structure, orchestration, and format, which makes it hard to pin-point an exclusive style.
The Pièce is composed of roughly two contrasting sections (A and B), which are arranged in an ABA format. Section A (Andante) contains the most memorable theme in the composition, however as the piece is not written in any particular key the motif is a series of descending triplets followed by a jump in a register. This movement is very lyrical and the composer introduces numerous variations in the main theme, varying rhythm and subverting harmonic expectations.
Section B (Vivo) provides significant contrast to the opening section, with a faster tempo and significant chromaticism. The dynamic content of this section is much more varied than that found in section A. While the opening section appears to be in a constant decrescendo, section B features a wider dynamic palate, which the composer uses to great effect to highlight the virtuosic chromatic passages. Thought highly chromatic, this section has passages where a diminished tonality is evident, but it’s for fleeting moments only, and these end up sounding very consonant in contrast with the chromaticism.
I think this is the first piece for solo woodwind I’ve sat down to listen to carefully. As expected of a piece that aims to highlight the features of the instrument its composed for, nearly the entire register of the flute is covered by this composition (db1 to d4). I found it hard to follow the structure originally, as the solo instrument provides its own context. However, after repeated listening the structure and content of the piece made themselves evident and it the image of a self contained composition became clear.
References: 1. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacques-Ibert Recording: Debost, M. 2013. 'Piece' Flûte Panorama. Paris: Skarbo. [online] Sheet music: Ibert, J. 1936. Pièce, pour flûte seule. Paris: Alphonse Leduc. [online]