Music for Two Flutes and Piano

Stockbridge Parish Church - 01/03/24

Marta Gómez, flute | André Cebrián, flute | Scott Mitchell, piano

Variety, virtuosity and musical treasures both known and less known were the keynotes of a charming chamber concert at Stockbridge Parish Church early in March featuring two Spanish flautists whose work is in demand both domestically and internationally.

André Cebrián is principal flautist for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and for the Azahar Ensemble. He is also artistic director and arranger of the Natalia Ensemble and teaches flute at the Academia Estudios Orquestales of the Fundación Barenboim-Said. From 2020 to 2023, Marta Gómez  was Orchestral Repertoire Professor at Conservatorio Superior de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete. She has also given orchestral coaching in youth orchestras in Galicia and Canary Islands.

Bach’s Sonata for two flutes and basso continuo (BWV 1029), one of a set of three, started the afternoon on more familiar territory, paying homage to one of the great voices of the tradition before veering into newer territory. Originally scored for viola de gamba and harpsichord, this assured performance of an imaginative adaptation amply demonstrated both the composer’s and the performers’ technical and imaginative mastery. 

The flautists alternated between duo, solo and (joined by the able Scott Mitchell on piano) trio throughout the concert, with thoughtful and good-humoured narration from André Cebrián introducing both the music and the way the flute repertoire has mutated and expanded over the years.

Two pieces by French composer and pianist Cécile Chaminade followed. First, the charming Spanish Serenade, op.150, and then the demanding Flute Concertino op.107. Baroque and early twentieth century music paved the way contemporary Polish composer, conductor and instrumentalist Mercin Werner’s own trio. Gómez, in particular, is a champion of contemporary music. This piece, appropriately, both references the past and lives in the moment.

Mood changes ranging from introspection to extroversion were evident in two Mélanie Bonis duos for flute and piano, Pièce, op.189, and the op.187 Scherzo. Then the trio recombined for nineteenth century Ukrainian flute virtuoso Franz Doppler’s Andante and Rondo, op.25.  

A captivating concert ended with a popular encore featuring the well-loved butterfly duet, Deux Papillon, op.165, by Emil Kronke, who is known for his rhythmic trickery. The soloists handled this with aplomb. Their ability to convey the freshness and adventurousness of music whose smooth melodic surface often belies considerable demands was received by an appreciative audience.

Those wishing to catch more of André Cebrián can do so on his recent CD with guitarist Pedro Mateo. ‘Cartografía del Mar’ was released at the end of last year by Presto Music. It features, among others, pieces by Astor Piazzolla and Toru Takemitsu, and is available both as a CD and as an MP3 with a digital booklet.

Cover photo: Nacho Morán