Description

Tchaikovsky and Bizet for 2 Flutes and Piano are two effective encore pieces from two masters of the Romantic period: Minuet from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 1 …by Bizet and The Dance of the Cygnets from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky This new edition replaces the original first edition: HE3 published by Hunt Edition and the European Music Archive version (EMA134). Bizet’s Minuet from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 is a charming orchestral gem that blends elegance with rustic flair. Originally composed as incidental music for Alphonse Daudet’s play L’Arlésienne, which Edmund Chase has arranged for two flutes. Bizet later arranged the most evocative pieces into two orchestral suites. The Minuet appears as the second movement in Suite No. 1, premiered in 1872. Stylistically, the Minuet is a graceful dance in triple meter, rooted in the classical tradition but infused with Bizet’s Romantic sensibilities. It opens with a stately theme that evokes the courtly dances of the 18th century, yet its orchestration and harmonic color give it a fresh, pastoral character. The trio section introduces a playful motif that imitates the sound of a bagpipe, adding a touch of Provençal folk flavour—a nod to the setting of the original play in southern France. The “Dance of the Cygnets” (also known as “Danse des petits cygnes” or “Dance of the Little Swans”) is one of the most iconic and technically demanding pieces in Swan Lake, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The piece is in 2/4 time, marked Allegro, and exudes a bright, sprightly energy.  The staccato string motif—plucked and precise—mimics the dainty, synchronized footwork of the dancers. Repetition plays a key role: short, crisp phrases bounce rhythmically, giving the sense of controlled urgency and mischief.