HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The holiday season is upon us! And that means we're all playing Christmas music and buying gifts. We've compiled a list of some of our ideas and new releases, so check them out, and if you like anything, buy something for yourself or for your favorite flutists. Tis the season!
1. FOR YOUR FLUTE ENSEMBLE OR FLUTE PARTY
Transfigured Carols by Joseph Hallman (2012). 3 flutes/1 piccolo
"Transfigured Carols" was written for the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra 's “Tune Up Philly” Fundraising Benefit Concert featuring Fluterscooter, Allison Loggins-Hull, Jason Blank, and Susanna Loewy. It is a virtuosic spin on 5 carols. The work re-imagines each of the carols differently. Some are transformed into darker versions and other s transfigured into vivacious romps. This is a piece for all flutists, high school age and up. A portion of this reduced-price score will be donated to the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.
Order score: www.josephhallman.com/support-youth-in-music.html
Listen to Fluterscooter's recording of the piece: www.soundcloud.com/gogreengo/transfigured-carols
Now for a discounted price of $20 for Flute View members. And, all proceeds are donated to The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra!
Christmas Music from Wonderful Winds. Arrangements by Mel Orliss and Anna Cooper
These are all beautiful and fun arrangements of classic Christmas songs. The arrangements are woven intricately together and provide each flute part with solo lines and harmonies. They're great for any reading party or flute ensemble concert during the holiday season.
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: 4 flutes
This is a really warm and cosy quartet/choir arrangement, and whilst being suitable for intermediate players, it's gorgeous enough to be an essential part of the Christmas Repertoire for more advanced players.
2. Troika: Troika for Quartet: 4 flutes: Fl 1/Picc, Fl 2, Fl 3, Bass (+ opt. sleigh bells)
A magical and energetic arrangement of this famous sleigh ride from the Lieutenant Kije Suite. Includes optional sleigh bells for extra sparkle!
3. Away in a Manger: 5 flutes
A new setting of the classic Christmas piece. The tune is framed by rich harmonies and softly pealing bell passages for 5 C flutes.
Order from Wonderful Winds: www.wonderfulwinds.com
The Nutcracker (P. Tchaikovsky). Arranged for Flute and Piano by Mary Jane Rupert
This attractively-produced transcription contains all of the movements in the suite derived from that composition of the Nutcracker (except the Overture), a perennial favorite at Christmastime. In addition to providing a good selection of holiday tunes to entertain listeners during holiday parties, this edition will more importantly give flutists an opportunity to get most of the ballet's difficult flute passages under their fingers in context (in preparation for potential auditions), as well as giving them a crack at the lovely oboe solo in the Arab Dance movement. Dr. Rupert is a master at transcribing piano parts for the harp, and, as is clear from this arrangement, at orchestral reductions. Pianists, however, will have their work cut out for them in the Waltz of the Flowers, especially the harp solo contained therein. The flute part is well laid out, avoiding awkward page turns; pianists will most likely want a page turner in the faster movements like Trepak.
Review by John Ranck, DMA. www.johnranck.net/studio/studio.html
Order from Noteworthy Music.
2. FOR YOUR BEGINNER FLUTE STUDENT OR CHILD
Green Golly and Her Golden Flute book, (and accompanying CD), and sheet music
As Viviana Guzman reviewed in this issue, Green Golly and Her Golden Flute is "engaging and entertaining with a thoughtful message and is presented with an enchanting introduction to classical music and the flute." Anyone who has seen Green Golly's show can attest to the fact that children can't get enough of the Green Golly story and music!
Introduce your children to the wonderful world of classical music and flute with this marvelously illustrated storybook. Green Golly and Her Golden Flute is what Midwest Book Review calls "an unforgettable childhood experience" and what Flute View's own Viviana Guzman describes as "a magical fairy tale which is sure to become a staple in the world of children’s books and stories."
$19.99 + shipping from www.greengolly.com
Now available from the Theodore Presser Company a wonderful companion to the award winning book and CD Green Golly and Her Golden Flute. Newly arranged classics in editions for either flute and piano ($12.99) or solo flute with ensemble of Piccolo, 1st Flute and 2nd Flute ($15.99). Also available on www.greengolly.com.
3. FOR YOUR FLUTE
Flute Hoot Flute Stands
Jodi Bortz, flutist and Flute View contributor, has made some very fashionable (and VERY affordable) flute stands. These are perfect for home or for your teaching studio. The leopard one shown here is our personal favorite! She also has a new swab product called the Flute Floozy.
Order from www.flutehoot.com.
4. FOR HARP MUSIC BY A FLUTIST: A Harp For Christmas: Gary Schocker
This may come as a shocker (sorry, I had to...), but Gary Schocker just released a HARP CD! Released on Albany Records, "A Harp For Christmas," Schocker has arranged 21 songs for harp, which was done in collaboration with Emily Mitchell, a critically acclaimed harpist who teaches, tours and records. The CD includes songs such as "Joy to the World," "Silent Night," "First Noel" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Order on Albany Records.
5. FOR FLUTE FASHION! Music for Your Eyes by Ellen Burr
Ellen Burr is a flutist and jewelry designer who crafts each piece of her one of a kind jewelry out of sterling silver flute keys. She adds accents of turquoise, precious stones, and sometimes gold to her designs. She has been fashioning unique earrings, necklaces, and bracelets for years, and they are truly remarkable works of craftsmanship and beauty.
Order from Ellen at www.flutejewelry.com
And finally...FOR THE FLUTE VIEW!
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Fluterscooter, Viviana Guzman, and Barbara Siesel all sell our own products, too! But we wanted to include some non-biased ideas first! Please check out our websites, too, for everything from flutes, to CDs, to flute bags!
www.fluterscooter.com
www.greengolly.com
www.viviana.org
Happy Holidays!
The Flute View Team