duets: flute and piano

Those Infernal Exsanguinators, by Tom Schnauber

Flute part and Piano score, PDF $17.97

Summer in Minnesota. The sun is setting, the broad sky is clear, and the cool light of dusk promises a welcome respite from the day’s heat and humidity. You step out into the stillness and stand, gazing at the orange-red horizon, thankful for the dimming light and approaching night. And then they come. Those insidious little creatures, those vile insects that define and destroy the season: the mosquitoes. Only some at first, few enough to make you think that if you swat them away, you can still enjoy the evening air. But then more come, and more, and even more. They whine, you moan, they sting, you slap, they swarm, you flail. Soon, your body a mass of swelling welts, you realize that the twilight peace you had hoped for when you left your house is a sham, an impossible illusion shattered by the piercing terror of those infernal exsanguinators. Angry and itching, you run back inside and slam the door shut. —Tom Schnauber

In October, 2020, we at NSM were delighted to welcome Tom Schnauber as one of our contributing contemporary composers; click the link to read about this acclaimed composer's career and his many exciting projects. 

Those Infernal Exsanguinators is a compelling piece; to discover this for yourself, please visit Tom Schnauber's soundcloud page and listen to a recording of the work beautifully performed by Tamara Thweatt, flute, and Hey-Seon Choi, piano.

Piano Score, 18 pages; Flute part, 7 pages; Total, 28 pages.

Rondo in B minor, D.895, by Franz Schubert

Transcribed for Flute (and Piano) by J.W.Pratt and C.A.Vater

Flute Part, PDF $11.99

The Rondo in B minor, D.895 (alternatively known as Rondeau brillant) was written for violin and piano in 1826 by the great Austrian composer Franz Peter Schubert.  Dedicated to the young violin virtuoso Josef Slawjk, the Rondo is demanding in both the solo and piano parts.  The work consists of an Andante introduction and an Allegro rondo, and is quite long at 713 measures and typically some thirteen minutes or more in duration.  Inexplicably, the piece is less familiar to players and audiences than many of Schubert’s other works.  Brian Newbould, renowned composer, conductor, author, and Schubert expert, wrote of the Rondo in his treatise Schubert: The Music and the Man (University of California Press, Jan 1, 1997, p365): “Not surprisingly, perhaps, it is little known because it is seldom played. But it is also undervalued: it scintillates, dances and sings, with a blend of infectious joy, tireless energy, rhythmic zip and ‒ from time to time ‒ heart-melting turns of melody and harmony.”

These characteristics and the way the music realizes them are not only suitable to but often even suggestive of a wind instrument. Our transcription provides effective flute-friendly alternatives for the violin’s double-stops as well as for notes that fall below the flute’s range, so the piece can be played comfortably and beautifully on flute. The Rondo is virtuosic in places, showy and exciting, and overall great fun to play.  The Noteworthy Sheet Music edition of our transcribed flute part does not include a re-notated copy of the score, since high-quality PDFs of the piano and violin score are freely available in the public domain and are sufficient to use along with our flute part, in lieu of violin. To download one such PDF of the score, please visit the Rondo’s page on IMSLP.

Flute part, 12 pages; Total 14 pages.

Three Romances, Op.22, by Clara Schumann

Transcribed for Alto Flute or Flute (and Piano) by C.A.Vater

Alto Flute Part and alternative Flute Part, PDF $8.99

Clara Schumann’s Drei Romanzen für Pianoforte und Violine, Op. 22, were written in 1853 and dedicated to the Schumanns’ great friend, the famous Hungarian violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim, with whom Clara performed the Three Romances when they concertized together on tours across Europe. The Romances are lovely, short pieces; melodic and expressive, they epitomize the Romantic era and represent true chamber music in the sense that both instruments are featured comparably, rather than the piano having a merely accompaniment role. They are nicely adaptable to wind instruments, and are particularly lovely when played on alto flute. Our transcription required few modifications to bring the original violin part completely in range for alto flute and provides flute-friendly, musically-appropriate alternatives to the occasional violin double-stop. Some flutists may wish to mix and match the three movements, preferring to play one or two of the Romances on alto flute and the third on concert flute, or vice versa; so, to that end, we have included in this edition a complete alternative part adapted for C-flute. We do not provide a re-notated copy of the score, however, since high-quality PDFs of the piano and violin score are freely available in the public domain, and are easy to use along with our flute transcriptions of the violin line. To download one such PDF of the score, please visit the imslp website.

Alto Flute part, 5 pages; Flute part, 5 pages; Total 14 pages.

Romance, by Alexander Scriabin

Transcribed for Clarinet or Flute or Alto Flute (and Piano) by J. W. Pratt

Parts, PDF $0.00

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915), the mystic Russian composer with music to match, wrote nine mind-bending orchestral works and myriad mostly miniature piano pieces. He began as a "Russian Chopin" and ended planning a week-long "Mysterium" to be performed in the Himalayas using "an orchestra, a large mixed choir, an instrument with visual effects, dancers, a procession, incense, and ... mists and lights" (Wikipedia).

Please click on the links to download your free PDFs:

Transcription for clarinet required no changes of pitch.  Scriabin - Romance - Clarinet

The transcription for flute is raised an octave, except the last five measures.  Scriabin - Romance - Flute

The transcription for alto flute raises MM21-24 and MM36-48 an octave.  Scriabin - Romance - Alto Flute

The piano score is freely available on IMSLP.org.

Scriabin image courtesy of Wikimedia.org, PD-old.

Bagette no. 4, by Zenon Slawinski

Contemporary Composition for Flute and Piano

Flute Part and Piano Score, PDF $16.99

Zenon Slawinski studied music theory and composition at the University of Michigan with Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom, and William Albright. He also studied Campanology with Hudson Ladd. After graduating with honors he pursued a career in both music and graphic design. Mr. Slawinski was co-music director for the Peabody and Ohio State award winning Children's Radio Theatre program, and scored numerous independent and industrial films and films for the Smithsonian Institution that aired at Smithsonian museums and on PBS. He wrote the music to the popular political talk show The John McLaughlin Group. Mr. Slawinski was a founding partner of a multimedia production company and recording studio working in the early interactive days on educational and entertainment music projects in the CDi and CD-ROM formats, many of which won numerous awards. For more details of Zenon Slawinski's biography, please see the Composers section of the NSM website.

Bagette no. 4 is from a set of four Bagettes written by Zenon Slawinski for his flutist wife, for the two of them to play together. The piece showcases the flute and has challenging moments for both players throughout. The spelling of "bagette" is intentional. The piece opens and closes with a quick ostinato in ¾ in the piano part that lays the foundation for the feel of the entire Bagette. The second section is more pensive and contemplative, with the piano taking the lead initially. The next section is bold and in a new key - B major - and here the flute and piano engage in a playful interaction. The composer intends for the players to put their own spin on the piece and interpret the music freely.

You may also listen to audio of the piece, recorded on the composer's Yamaha MOTIF ES with the sampled piano and flute sounds found in the instrument.  Click to listen

Customers who purchase the sheet music to Bagette no. 4 are entitled to a free rehearsal mp3 of the piano track with which the flutist can play along.

Piano score, 15 pages; Flute part, 7 pages; Total, 26 pages.

Cookies, by Zenon Slawinski 

Contemporary Composition for Flute and Piano

Flute Part and Piano Score, PDF $24.50

From the preface by Zenon Slawinski:

The Cookies came about because my wife and I had been exploring the various compositions and arrangements available for flute and piano and I felt that we needed something new for our time and our audience. We live in a constantly changing world yet we love to hang our hat on the past, especially when it comes to music.  I wanted to create a set of pieces that would not only be enjoyable for the listener but provide the players with a high level of satisfaction.

These pieces range in difficulty from the rather simple and easy to play (Cookies 1, 2, 4, 7), to the intermediate (Cookies 5, 8, 9, 11), and to the more challenging (Cookies 3, 6, 10, 12).

A special note about Cookie No. 5.  This piece was influenced by the Jazz tunes in the popular series of Real Books which follow a common practice in today's "chart" or "lead sheets" where the melody line is written out and chords are marked for the accompaniment to play.  This gives a lot of freedom initially to the piano.  As the flutists becomes more familiar with their part, I would encourage them to get off the page and try some of their own lines.

I purposely gave few performance markings so that players can create their own.  Interpret these freely and have fun.

Zenon Slawinski, September 17, 2014

Cookie 1 mp3

Cookie 4 mp3

Cookie 5 mp3

Cookie 6 mp3

Cookie 7 mp3

Cookie 9 mp3

Cookie 12 mp3

Customers who purchase the sheet music to Cookies are entitled to free rehearsal mp3’s of the piano tracks with which the flutist may play along.

Cookie 9 is a flute solo; the piano is tacet.

For those who would prefer to buy a subset of the Cookies, rather than all 12, we offer three smaller editions:

  Cookies 1,2,4,7: Piano Score, 15 pages; Flute part, 5 pages; Total 24 pages; PDF Price $9.45

  Cookies 5,8,9,11: Piano Score, 15 pages; Flute part, 7 pages; Total 28 pages; PDF Price $9.45

  Cookies 3,6,10,12: Piano Score, 30 pages; Flute part, 9 pages; Total 42 pages; PDF Price $18.90

The Nutcracker, by P. Tchaikovsky

Arranged for Flute and Piano by Mary Jane Rupert

Flute Part and Piano Score, Complete PDF $17.95 (also available as individual pieces)

Mary Jane Rupert, pianist and harpist, has performed as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player in many groups in the Boston area throughout the past three decades.   She has toured the United States, Thailand, and New Zealand as a member of the duo "2" with flutist Peter Bloom, and performed with such other groups as the Southcoast Chamber Players, Musica Sacra, the Cecilia Society, and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.  Educated at Oberlin College and Indiana University, Dr. Rupert earned a B.M. in piano, M.M. degrees in both harp and piano, and a doctorate in piano performance.  Having taught at Western Michigan University, Oberlin College, and Wellesley College, she now maintains a private studio for both piano and harp in Cambridge, MA.

Dr. Rupert's superb arrangement of The Nutcracker for flute and piano includes all of the pieces from the original Suite Op.71a from the ballet by Tchaikovsky, except the Overture.   Professionals, students, and amateur musicians should all find uses for these popular pieces—as encores, recital pieces, and as part of the repertoire for more informal musical occasions.  Read a review of the arrangement by John Ranck that was published in The Flute View.

Listen to audio excerpts of Chinese Dance and Trepak performed by Peter H. Bloom and Mary Jane Rupert.

For anyone wishing to purchase individual pieces of Mary Jane Rupert's arrangement of The Nutcracker for flute and piano, rather than the entire suite, we also offer the seven pieces as separate PDF's. Just check the appropriate box in the Add to Cart table below:

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We also offer a professionally-printed hard copy edition of the complete version of The Nutcracker for $33.33 plus a $5.95 shipping and handling fee to addresses in the USA.  Please use the Contact Us form to let us know which hard copy publication(s) you would like to purchase, along with your email contact information and USPS mailing address.  We will then send you a PayPal invoice for the sale and, once we receive notice from PayPal that you have paid for the item(s), we will ship your music to the address provided.

Introduction et Rondo pour la Flûte, Op.49, by Tulou

Gassett Collection - Facsimile Edition by C.A.Vater/Noteworthy Sheet Music, with a Foreword by Peter H. Bloom

Flute Part and Piano Score, PDF $12.75

Jean-Louis Tulou (1786-1865) was a prominent, virtuoso French flutist, composer, and flute maker. He was a member of the orchestra of the Paris Opéra, and served as professor of flute at the Paris Conservatoire from 1829-1856. Tulou composed a great many works for flute, including 5 concertos and numerous solos and duets. In 1835 he published his "Méthode de Flûte", still valuable today as a guide to performance practice in the early 19th century and for instruction on playing pre-Boehm keyed flutes. We offer here our facsimile edition of Tulou's Introduction et Rondo pour la Flûte avec Accompagnement de Piano (Op.49), an energetic, enjoyable romp for flute.

For additional information about the Gassett Collection, please see see our article An Introduction to the Gassett Collection.

Piano score, 12 pages; Flute part, 5 pages; Total, 21 pages.

Kleemation, by Elizabeth Vercoe

Original Composition for Flute and Piano

Flute Part and Piano Score, PDF $16.95

Kleemation for flute and piano is in five short movements based on five drawings by Paul Klee titled: Goodbye to You, Please!, Afraid on the Beach, More Will Be Marching Soon, and Woman Sowing Weeds.  Described as "highly abstract yet accessible," the piece was commissioned by Austin Peay University in Tennessee and received its premiere there in 2003.  The New England premiere was at the Duxbury Art Museum in 2004 by the duo "2" (flutist Peter H. Bloom and pianist Mary Jane Rupert).  "2" has since performed the piece on tours in the U.S., Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand.  Click to read a testimonial to Elizabeth Vercoe's composition Kleemation written by Mr. Bloom. 

Kleemation was recorded by "2" and can be heard on the PARMA Recordings all-Vercoe CD entitled Kleemation and Other Works by Elizabeth Vercoe.  In an IAWM Journal CD review Dr. Laura G. Kafkawrites: “Vercoe musically renders Klee’s drawings with all the humor, fear, and reality that make each one leap from its canvas and dance.”  Click to read Dr. Kafka’s full review. In another review published by Audiophile Audition magazine on September 26, 2013, Lee Passarella writes: "Vercoe (b. 1941) also shows a willingness to adapt different musical styles and elements to her basic idiom: the essential atonality of her music is leavened with some well-chosen pop influences where appropriate to the subject matter at hand.  That includes Kleemation, a work based on drawings by Swiss modernist painter Paul Klee.  Klee's sometimes whimsical, sometimes troubling art turns for its inspiration to the uninhibited world of the child artist." 

Listen to an audio sample of Kleemation from the opening of the title piece.

Piano score, 27 pages; Flute part, 11 pages; Total, 44 pages; PDF $16.95.

Fantaisie pour la Flûte, Op.65, by Eugène Walckiers

Gassett Collection - Facsimile Edition by C.A.Vater/Noteworthy Sheet Music, with a Foreword by Peter H. Bloom

Flute Part and Piano Score, PDF $19.50

A student of Jean-Louis Tulou, Eugène Walckiers (1793-1866) was a flutist and an exceptionally talented composer.  His Fantaisie pour la Flûte Sur la Ronde du Postillon de Lonjumeau is a delightfully engaging and challenging work based on emblematic material from the comic opera by the French composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856).  The famous Ronde du postillon appears at the end of Act I of Le Postillon de Lonjumeau (The Coachman of Lonjumeau), which premiered in Paris in 1836.   

For additional information about the Gassett Collection, please see see our article An Introduction to the Gassett Collection.

Piano score, 19 pages; Flute part, 8 pages; Total, 32 pages.