Hi all,
I play classical piano in addition to flute and other Celtic instruments, so I am very into classical music. I was wondering if anyone knows of any CDs with classical music played on the Irish flute or artists who are known to play a lot of classical music. I love the classical music Chris Norman plays, but are there many others who play/record a lot of classical music on the Irish flute?
Thanks!
Martin Doyle does that sort of stuff. Some of it (possibly) posted on his blog.
I think you’ve got it all backwards. There are a lot of people who play ‘Irish’ music on the classical flute. Don’t forget that what you call an Irish flute was the standard instrument before Theobald Boehm came up with his brilliant idea of developing a flute based on acoustics rather than on tradition.
I don’t know of any classical players still using a simple system flute for regular performances but here’s Trevor Wye on a Radcliffe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwriLcg9c4U and Paulo Dalmoro on a Thibouville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnylN5TRnaQ. Compare this last one to the same piece on a Boehm : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz40f_geQRo.
Not sure about recordings in general, but I know I have, and see in stores from times to time, ensembles that play on period instruments.
However, grab some sheet music and go to town…I love playing classical music on my antique flute!
Eric
A friend of mine, Wendell Dobbs, does a lot of classical on the simple-system flute. Just google him with “flute”.
Pat
I was going to say the same. The Irish timber flute is simply the 19th century classical, orchestral flute. And given the increasing prominence of the movement to historically accurate performance in classical music, I’ll wager there are many orchestral and ensemble recordings and performances featuring timber flutes, whether or not they are identified as such.
Of course it’s possible to treat some central melodies in classical music as if they are folk tunes (indeed, some of them were) and play them that way on the flute. Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart…This isn’t what the OP has in mind. Still it isn’t entirely an ‘all or nothing’ situation, FWIW.
If with “irish flute” you mean the 8(or more) keys wooden simple system flute then here you go:
Brian Berryman - Crossing the Border
Chris Norman - Highlands (flute solos & with orchestra)
There is a lovely video of Chris over here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg02qSuwYX8
Yep, largely a mythical beast!
Sorry for being vague/incorrect.
In response to Radcliff, the wooden system flute is what I meant! That video of Chris Norman and Highlands (and now, Brian Berryman) is all that I’ve been able to find, but if anyone knows of any others, it would be much appreciated!
Rhonda Larson does some cross over playing with world wind instruments that may be of interest.
As you surely know we have boehm wooden system flute too. There are a good number of different system of flutes (most of the made in wood) invented and built between the renaissance traversa up to the later simple system flute. You can find some nice informations on internet (check Mr. Wilson website www.oldflutes.com and “the flute” book by Mr. Powell!) (just to say “Radcliff” is the name of another wooden system flute…).
there are other players, not a small number i would say, even if not too easy to spot.
Edwina Smith performs for Edinburgh University
http://www.mimo-db.eu/MIMO/infodoc/ged/view.aspx?eid=OAI_IMAGE_PROJECTS_LIB_ED_AC_UK_10683_17660
Stephen Preston plays not just baroque flutes.
(still this is a wonderful piece of music on baroque: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CD-UCSu4Bk)
Good music from Paolo Dalmoro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VATy32k1zEg&list=PLBWLnXlL1e3q_6T72151V6KQpGjacCaNJ
Adrianne Greenbaum, she can perform many different music styles (lovely player)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR_u6AxrWTc
and there are more out there! :- )
Christopher Layer plays Bach and a couple of other classical pieces on his album Stones Unturned Returned (with harpist Martha Waldvogel Warren), and he plays Telemann on his solo CD A Long Winter’s Nap. (He’s using a six-key boxwood Olwell on both recordings.)
Out of interest (well, it is to me!) I’m just about to settle down to a spot of practice of my Bach flute sonatas, on my 8-key R&R.
Telemann is fun.
Yes it is. I’m not very good at F major though (a blind spot) which seems to be a favourite key of his.
In the end I’ve just practiced some Handel flute sonatas rather than Bach. They’re all tricky enough for me.
Grey Larsen and I were having fun yesterday while tweaking a few of the notes on his eight keyed low A. He uses this flute a bunch to back up Cindy Kallet’s singing which means he’s playing in keys other than the A and D (these are like the D and G on our normal Irish flutes). What really impressed me were the scales he played in various oddball keys on this instrument. Bb, Eb, F etc. and how easily he played them. That takes much practice and skill!
Casey
Ooh! I’d love an 8-keyed low A. 
OK, this is a leap (correct me if I’m wrong) and I think you can hear Grey playing Casey’s A flute (which I’ve seen/heard ‘in person’) if one clicks on the song ‘If you say yes,’ on the following link. It’s number 5 on the link. I believe Grey has a background in ancient music, which he deploys harmonically in this tune, both on the flute and vocally.