Album Review: “Flute World” Music by Fazıl Say — A Bold, Intimate Journey with Aslıhan And
Turkish Flutist Aslıhan And Launches New Singles from Flute World by Fazıl Say, Kicking Off Bold New Series for Bass and Alto Flute
Turkish flutist Aslıhan And proudly releases the first single in her visionary new series Flute World, composed by Fazıl Say. This multi-movement solo work explores the rich sonic world of the flute, alto flute, and bass flutes, with each movement highlighting a different character and musical mood. Turkish flutist Aslıhan And has opened a new chapter in solo flute performance with the release of two stunning movements from Fazıl Say’s Flute World, Op. 84. These recordings are not just technically impressive—they offer a rare emotional depth, tone color, and interpretive vision that signal something truly special: a project that expands the repertoire while forging new artistic ground. The series will continue with monthly digital releases, including the next movement, Agreement of Silence, featuring the bass flute in one of Fazıl Say’s most outstanding contributions to the flute repertoire. Here, Aslıhan makes the instrument sing voluptuously, revealing its unique voice with remarkable artistry and technique.
The first single, Op. 84, I. Onurlu Yalnızlık (“Dignified Solitude”), showcases Aslıhan’s virtuosic command, refined tone, and deep musicality. In this opening movement, she reveals the expressive power of the flute, navigating Say’s demanding writing with both clarity and passion. In this meditative yet technically demanding piece, Aslıhan showcases her virtuosic agility, focused tone, and above all, her musical intelligence. Her phrasing breathes naturally, drawing out the melancholy nobility in Fazil Say’s writing, while maintaining a sense of poised restraint. This is not just a show of skill—it’s music-making of depth and purpose.
Perhaps even more striking is the fifth movement, "Agreement of Silence", performed on the bass flute. Fazıl Say’s writing here is nothing short of revelatory. The piece is both spacious and lyrical, using silence as a structural and emotional force. It stands as an outstanding contribution to the contemporary flute repertoire, bringing the bass flute to the fore as a solo voice with genuine expressive range. Aslıhan And meets this challenge with commanding artistry. She makes the bass flute sing voluptuously, shaping each line with fluidity, color, and control. Her technique is seamless, but it never overshadows the intimacy and stillness the piece demands.
Together, these two movements offer a glimpse into a larger work of great promise. A notable aspect of Flute World is its visual collaboration with leading Turkish fashion designers, who contribute striking imagery and style to each release—creating a multimedia experience that celebrates sound, identity, and design.
With Fazıl Say’s ever-distinctive musical voice and Aslıhan And’s unique artistry, this series is shaping up to be one of the most important and innovative flute projects. If the upcoming movements maintain this level of imagination and execution, Flute World will take its place as a landmark in 21st-century flute literature.