Kutnowski, M :: 12 etudes dans le style du tango [12 etudes in the key of tango]

12 etudes dans le style du tango [12 etudes in the key of tango]

Kutnowski, M

From the collection Frederic Chatoux, Martin Kutnowski’s ‘12 etudes in the key of tango’ is a brilliant resource for flutists looking to add to their knowledge of the Piazzolla Tango Etudes. Kutnowski states, "These twelve etudes for solo flute are based on Argentinian tango rhythms and melodies. These idiomatic materials are then integrated and elaborated into a distinct musical form. Traditional melodic gestures mimicking the performance practice of “old-guard” tango singers are developed, altering their original motivic and harmonic identity; square phrases are made asymmetrical; specific rhythmic figures, usually found either in the melody or in the rhythmic section of the tango ensembles, generate ostinati or moto perpetuo patterns."

Challenging and expanding the properties of the flute as a monophonic instrument, different regions of the register are assigned distinct thematic functions thus creating polyphonic illusion.

The overall compositional philosophy - capturing the most characteristic gestures of a popular idiom and consolidating them into a set of solo virtuoso etudes, each with its own special identity - recalls the compositional approach taken by some of the XIX century masters, as can be found in the complete set of piano etudes by Czerny, Cramer, Moscheles or Chopin, among others.

The composition of this piece was generously supported by a General Research Grant from Saint Thomas University, New Brunswick, Canada. The entire twelve-etude cycle was premiered by Saul Martin in McCain Hall, Fredericton, in February 28, 2007.

Martin Kutnowski is a prolific 21st century Argentenian composer and music theorist.