Orchestral Techniques for Flute and Piccolo: An Audition Guide

Orchestral Techniques for Flute and Piccolo, by Walfrid Kujala, Published by Progress Press.

This long-awaited book, Orchestral Techniques for Flute and Piccolo: An Audition Guide and an Inside Look at Symphonic Performance Traditions, is the first publication to include comprehensive instructional material that focuses on the technical and stylistic aspects of the main solo and ensemble excerpts from 28 orchestral masterworks.

Some of the topics covered in this 92-page treatise are: tempo choices, rhythmic pitfalls, dynamic adjustments, ensemble considerations, breathing advice, tone qualities, special fingerings, “insider” strategies, articulation style and performance traditions. There are special rhythmic and technical exercises for Beethoven Leonore No.3 and Eroica Symphony, Dvork 8th Symphony, Shostakovich 15th Symphony, Strauss Till Eulenspiegel, Stravinsky Firebird and Petrouchka, and Tchaikovsky 4th Symphony.

All the musical examples have been reset, correcting the misprints that have persisted for many years in the original printed parts. To better comprehend the ensemble interplay, the flute duo in the second movement of the Bartk Concerto for Orchestra and the entire Stravinsky Firebird Variation movement for flute and piccolo are printed in score form.

Composers represented are Bartk, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Dvork, Hindemith, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Ravel, Rossini, Saint-Sans, Shostakovich, Strauss, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky.

Alan Heatherington, in his preface to Orchestral Techniques, comments:
In this book, Kujala demonstrates repeatedly that true artistry is born of strict self-discipline and the development of analytical skills, nurtured by such “pedestrian” means as the metronome and the recorder. I believe that Kujala’s many years of applying these disciplines to his own playing have enabled him to extend his successful playing and teaching years well into the time that lesser artists have yielded to diminished skills. The wisdom herein, while intended to benefit those who play the flute and piccolo, provides countless principles and insights for any musician who is in serious quest of a higher performance level.[Alan Heartherington is Music Director of Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra, Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Master Singers. Maestro Heatherington has followed Mr. Kujala’s career for over 40 years, and has collaborated with many of his students who have achieved tremendous success following the principles and guidance outlined in this book.]

$24.95