Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've been online! Anyway, I'm going to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this summer, and they have a solo competition every year. The solo has to have an orchestral accompaniment, and it has to be performance ready by July 15. I was thinking the Chaminade Concertino, but I'm not really sure if I can have it totally polished by then. Anyone have recomendations?

Could you list some pieces you've been working on lately so we can get a better feel for what level music you might be looking for? And must you play the entire piece, or would one movement of a concerto or something fit the requirements? Personally I would opt away from the Chaminade, as out here in California, it is played so often as to almost become a cliche. The circumstances in Michigan might be different though.

I agree with flutist06, the Chaminade Concertino is over played. I think if I had to hear that peice just one more time I would start pulling out my hair!!!!

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How about something written by Mercandante or Danzi?

The Chaminade is definitely a showpiece, and will always be a crowd pleaser. Despite its overplayed stereotype, I still like the piece. But as others have stated, it might be perceived as trite. But if you play it passionately, it could work for you.

Some other pieces along the same line that I, personally, love to play are:

Martin's Ballade - Well-known, kind of spooky sounding, I find it technically easier than the Chaminade, and it is equally as appealing to audiences. I'm not sure if an orchestral accompaniment has been written. Anyone know?

Griffes Poem - Another classic, everyone knows this one. A great piece to showcase your sound and phrasing. If double tonguing or fast tonguing is a weakness, I'd pass on this one.

Enesco Cantabile et Presto - Again, I'm not sure if there's an orchestral accompaniment. But it sure is a delight to play, it can show off your sound and technique. I also find it easier than the Chaminade.

Bach's Badinerie and Polonaise... If you are up to that level, they are both beautiful baroque peices!

If it's an orchestral accompaniment why would someone choose a piece that was written for flute and piano? Is there something I am missing in reference to the Chaminade? Perhaps I was just mislead with the orchestral background statement. I would opt for Mercadante or Danzi as Kara said. They are fun, challenging and written for flute and orchestra!

-Dennis

The Chaminade exists in both orchestral accompaniment and piano accompaniment versions, so it could fulfill the requirements.

Who would so destroy a composition like that by making the accompaniment into an orchestral version? It was Ms. Chaminade was it?

-Dennis

What makes you think the piece is destroyed by having an orchestral accompaniment? I don't know who created the orchestra version (it may have been Ms. Chaminade, but I don't know for sure), but I don't consider it to be destroying the piece. The essence of the piece remains, but the accompaniment has been expanded to allow a flutist to play with an orchestra. To me that just opens up more possibilities. After all, the main focus is on the flutist (yes, there are moments when the piano must shine through, but if it was intended as a piano solo it would have been written as one), so changing the accompaniment to fit different circumstances is not all that huge a change. One of the beautiful things about that piece is the innumerable ways it can be interpreted, and I view an orchestral accompaniment as simply another interpretation of the original music.

It's better with orchestra

yup,
maybe they just really appreciate the piece that's why they made the orchestral version.
and i think it's ok.

---kishi

I don't think that Chaminade has been destroyed by having an orchestra accompaniment, I think it is flutist that have destroyed the piece by playing it over and over and over and over.....

Sorry about the suggestion... I didn't really take the requirement for the full orchestra seriously. Doesn't the overture for the Suite in B minor by Bach have an orchestra accompaniment, though?

I see how some people would think re-arranging a work to differnt accompaniments would be like "ruining" the work, but maybe it is just a different point of view on things. Some people like the book better than the movie!

Hhmm..HAHA! i never heard of that before.:D
i dunno, i'm working on this mozart solo right now and my recital is next week. It's a orchestral accompianst part thingy...but i think it'll be WAY to easy for a competition. but it's REALLY pretty for a recital!..i think it's called Konzart..i dunno! HAHA!

Good luck with that, schoolgirl!! I hope you do really well! Remember to have fun!