Fauré’s beloved orchestral work has been adapted to various settings, but never like this: a spectacular feature for an advanced flutist, with 14 variations exploring a full range of moods, colors, and styles, in the context of a 6-piece chamber ensemble. This challenging piece explores the beautiful theme from every imaginable angle: from the subdued ensemble with the flutist’s impassioned flurries overhead, then as a waltz, a quirky but sneakily virtuosic pseudo-march, the melody in rapidly flowing 16th note lines, then inverted, then arpeggiated with widely expanding intervals; then as a dramatic, flamenco-esque take on the main motif from the bridge, and even retrograde, with flute/clarinet playing an eerily fluid passage before the flute concludes with an exciting burst. In the shortest variation, Faure’s brilliant harmonic structure is explored, with the chords themselves used as the melody (F#, D, E, C#,D,B, C#, etc.), with flute in a graceful display of technical precision and passion. A finale features various members of the ensemble, then a dazzling cadenza to end this unique adaptation of Faure’s masterpiece.
 
For solo flute w/ 6-piece Chamber Ensemble
(flute, clarinet, violin, cello, double bass, piano)