Elliott Carter (1908-2012)

Flute Concerto (2008)

for flute and ensemble

  • General information
    • Composition date: 2008
    • Duration: 13 mn
    • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Detailed formation
  • soloist: flute
  • flute (also piccolo), oboe (also English horn), 2 clarinets (also 1 bass clarinet), bassoon (also contrabassoon), 2 horns, trumpet, trombone, percussionist, harp, piano, 2 violins, 2 second violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 2 double basses [nombre de cordes minimum]

Premiere information

  • Date: 11 June 2009
    Location:

    Israel, Jerusalem, YMCA


    Performers:

    Emmanuel Pahud : flûte, Jerusalem International Chamber Music Ensemble, direction : Daniel Barenboim.

Program note

For many years flutists have been asking for a flute concerto, yet I kept putting it off because I felt that the flute could not produce the sharp attacks that I use so frequently. But the idea of the beautiful qualities of the different registers of the instrument and the extraordinary agility attracted me more and more, so when Elena Bashkirova asked me write something for her and the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival, I decided it would be a flute concerto. From mid - September, 2007 to March, 2008 ideas and notes for it fascinated me without relief.

Elliott Carter, May 2008.