It's wonderful to see all four flute works by French composer Lili Boulanger (1893–1918) brought together in a single volume. Editors Elisabeth Weinzierl and Edmund Wächter have worked from the first editions, except in the case of Boulanger's 1910 Pièce, which they have painstakingly reproduced from the only surviving original manuscript.
Boulanger's elder sister Nadia, also a celebrated composer, was her first teacher. After Nadia won second prize in the prestigious Prix de Rome composition competition, Lili vowed to win first. In 1913 she succeeded, becoming the first ever female composer to do so. Lili suffered from chronic health conditions throughout her life and died at the age of only 24. One of her final works was the 1917/18 D’un matin de printemps for flute or violin.
The flute's dancing opening motif is light and energetic, and the delicate yet always relentlessly energetic staccato quavers in the piano provide the flute player with a landscape to dance around and bounce off.
A calmer second melody invites the player to explore different tone colours, and to sustain long phrases in the flute's highest and lowest registers. Full of colour and excitement, the piece is a lovely opportunity for players around Grade 7 and above to explore Boulanger's expressive, Impressionist style.
The 1911 Nocturne is simply gorgeous, with the flute's flowing, sustained melodies growing and soaring over the shimmering and kaleidoscopic accompaniment.
Again, the player can explore a full range of dynamics and will need strong breath control. Player and teacher can explore combining attention to detail with realising the slower-moving architecture of the piece as a whole – another one for players of around Grade 7 and above.
The slow Introduction and lively Cortège will challenge the player's finger technique and articulation – keeping a delicate touch at speed in B major is not easy! Grade 7/8+ players will find this fun and satisfying, a great option for a virtuosic encore. In the little Pièce, players can explore how to give the long melody lines shape and colour, and how to fit with the piano's rocking chords. This is the least technically demanding piece in the collection, accessible to Grade 5 flautists and above.
The pieces can be performed separately or made into two-, three- or four-movement suites. This is an inspiring addition to an advanced pupil's repertoire.
