Philippe Gaubert wrote so many more pieces than his famous Madrigal and Sicilienne. We take a dive into his less familiar works, which are also a flute player’s dream…
edited and compiled by Amy Porter: Treasures for Flute and Piano by Philippe Gaubert
This book is a comprehensive collection of Gaubert’s shorter pieces for flute and piano. While the Fantasie and the Madrigal may already be familiar it is in the off-the beaten-track repertoire where this book really scores. Wonderful vignettes such as ‘Orientale’ and ‘Sur l’Eau’ are both beautiful, and the simple Berceuse will delight those new to the magic of Gaubert’s music. Difficulty Guide : 5-9
Philippe Gaubert: Sonata No. 2 for Flute and Piano
Gaubert’s second sonata is the most demanding of his three largest works and it delivers on all the aspects of flute playing of the period. All three movements have wonderful melodies, flowing passagework that rises and falls across the flute and plenty of passion. This is one of the very best flute sonatas and it is simply beautiful to play. Difficulty Guide: 9
Philippe Gaubert: Divertissement Grec for Two Flutes and Harp or Piano
This is a hypnotic piece in which the flutes weave around the harp accompaniment in thirds or sixths throughout. The harp gives a gentleness to the texture, the piano adds a little more weight and substance. Whether you choose to plauy with harp or piano, this is magical. Difficulty Guide: 6-7
Philippe Gaubert: Sicilienne arranged for Flute Choir by Roz Trubger
Gaubert’s Sicilienne is one of his best loved pieces and this simple arrangement really works. Not only does it give players the chance to become involved in a performance, it will also inspire others. Difficulty Guide: 7
Philippe Gaubert: Soir Paien (Pagan Evening) for Flute, Voice and Piano
This is simply a beautiful piece of music. Subtitled Pagan Evening, the poem by Albert Samain tells of a sunset, Pan with his flute, some nymphs and the goddess Diana dreaming. Gaubert has set the text to capture the sensuality of the scene with the introduction having just a hint of dangerous mystery before the voice delivers the lines with rising and falling phrases. As you might expect the flute in the star here, weaving its way around the words adding all that wonderful French colour. Difficulty Guide: 8-9
