Copland, A :: Duo for Flute and Piano

Duo for Flute and Piano

Copland, A

The quintessentially American composer, Aaron Copland (1900-1990), composed his Duo for Flute and Piano in memory of William Kincaid, the longtime Principal Flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra who died in 1967. A group of friends, family, students and dedicated supporters of William Kincaid commissioned Copland in 1969 to pay homage to this great musician. The work was first performed by Elaine Shaffer and Hephzibah Menuhin at the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in October 1971. Copland wrote that the work was naturally influenced by the fact that I was composing for Kincaid's students, not for future generations (although I hoped younger flutists would play Duo eventually). Also, I was using material from earlier sketches in my notebooks, and that may have influenced the style of the piece.

Duo for Flute and Piano holds hints of Copland's jazz-inspired works from the 1920s and his famous folk- inspired ballet scores of the 1940s. The opening Flowing movement, a simple and introspective flute lament, gracefully leads into the wistful and reflective mood of the Poetic, somewhat mournful second movement; a fitting elegy to William Kincaid. The finale third movement, Lively, with bounce provides a high-spirited dance-inspired close; a brilliant and satisfying farewell.

- CD Notes, Susan Hoeppner's American Flute Masterpieces