Borne, F :: Fantaisie Brillante sur Carmen [Brilliant Fantasy on Carmen]

Fantaisie Brillante sur Carmen [Brilliant Fantasy on Carmen]

Borne, F

From the publisher, Gerard Billaudot, and revised by Jean-Pierre Rampal, Francois Borne’s ‘Fantaisie Brillante sur Carmen’ from Georges Bizet’s opera ‘Carmen’ (1838-1878) was written in 1880. ‘After a short introduction, the flute enters with what sounds like an improvisation, not heard in the opera. It suggests the fluttering of a bird (Carmen sings that 'love is like a bird that flies when you try to catch it'). Shortly after this, the menacing 'Fate Motive,' is stated, which  repeats throughout the opera as an omen of death. The famous Habanera is played straight, without the impromptu quality of the previous section, but in the repeat, the flute plays variations on the theme over a traditional orchestral background. Next, comes Les Dragons d'Alcala, a military number which was an Entr'acte in the opera; that is, an unsung interlude between acts. Lastly, while the orchestra plays the Song of the Toreadors, the flute improvises rapidly, and the work comes to a rousing close.’- Illinois State University Symphonic Winds. Francois Borne was a beloved 19th century French composer, flute maker and flute professor.