FLUTE AND GUITAR MUSIC
Contemporary Music for Flute and Guitar
This collection of contemporary flute and guitar music presents works written for performers seeking expressive, modern repertoire for concerts, competitions, and advanced study. While the flute–guitar duo is a classic chamber combination, this page also highlights works written specifically for alto flute and guitar, offering a deeper, more resonant sound world. This page provides an overview of available works, including instrumentation details, program notes, and score information.
UNDERCURRENTS
for alto flute and guitar
Duration:
7:30 minutes
Instrumentation:
alto flute and classical guitar
Year Composed:
2024
Premiere Performance (coming up)
Orlando Cela, alto flute
Luiz Mantovani, guitar
5 November, 2024
Boston, USA
Program Notes:
I composed Undercurrents in Tel Aviv during the regional conflict of 2024. From the refuge of my room, overlooking a peaceful garden, I was fortunate to find a space to create. Yet, the constant flow of news from nearby conflict zones cast a shadow, weaving a parallel reality.
The music, unfolding in five interconnected movements, shuns grand drama for subtle, fleeting moments. Beneath these delicate passages, a faint, persistent beat of a war drum pulses, not only reflecting the tumultuous world beyond but also hinting at what might become of my tranquil haven in the future.
Undercurrents is dedicated to guitarist Luiz Mantovani and flutist Orlando Cela
Video Recording
Orlando Cela, alto flute
Luiz Mantovani, guitar
World Premiere Recording
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About Flute and Guitar Music
The flute and guitar duo offers a uniquely lyrical and intimate sound palette. When written for alto flute, the ensemble gains additional warmth and depth, creating a meditative and atmospheric character. Writing for this combination allows for subtle dynamic shading, expressive breath‑driven phrasing, and intricate interplay between plucked and sustained tones. These works contribute to the expanding contemporary repertoire for flute and guitar, providing performers with technically engaging and artistically rewarding pieces suitable for both recital and professional performance settings.
Flute and Guitar Repertoire List
This list represents some of the most significant works for the flute (or alto flute) and guitar duo.
Robert Beaser – Mountain Songs (1984)
A cornerstone of the repertoire; a cyclic work of folk-song arrangements capturing the lyrical and rhythmic essence of American Appalachian music.
Dušan Bogdanović – Cantilena (2000s)
A beautifully lyrical work that blends Balkan folk-inspired melodies with a sophisticated, contemporary harmonic language.
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco – Sonatina for Flute and Guitar, (1965)
A premiere work in the duo's repertoire, known for its neoclassical elegance and the sophisticated interplay between both instruments.
Richard Charlton – Nocturne (2005)
A modern Australian gem; a hauntingly atmospheric work that utilizes the deep, mellow tones of the alto flute against delicate guitar textures.
Jonathan Chenette – Fast Track (2000)
A high-energy, rhythmically driven contemporary piece inspired by the frenetic pace of modern life.
Carlo Domeniconi – Sonatina Mexicana (1986)
A vibrant work blending Mexican folk motifs with modern guitar techniques, creating a colorful and technically engaging dialogue.
Pierre Max Dubois – Sonate (1983)
A quintessential French work; witty, lighthearted, and technically demanding, reflecting the composer’s characteristic neoclassical style.
Tom Febonio – Five Pieces for Alto Flute and Guitar (2004)
A lyrical and evocative suite specifically tailored to the unique sonority of the alto flute.
Katherine Hoover – Caprice (2001)
A playful and spirited work from a leading American composer for the flute, featuring darting melodies and agile rhythms.
David Leisner – Dances in the Madhouse (1982)
A dramatic and highly expressive suite based on poems about inhabitants of an asylum, ranging from eerie to frantic.
Celso Machado – Danças Populares Brasileiras
A collection of highly popular, accessible pieces based on traditional Brazilian dances like Choro, Samba, and Baiao.
Astor Piazzolla – Histoire du Tango (1985)
The most famous work in the genre; a four-movement epic chronicling the evolution of tango from the brothel to the concert hall.