CLOSE ENCOUNTERS for Flute & Piano draws on historic themes connected to the medieval closes of the Scottish burgh town of Dunbar, a fishing port situated on the East Lothian coast, known locally as Sunny Dunny. Often named after prominent resident business owners, these otherwise unremarkable narrow lanes are given life by the records of their occupiers or through local tales.

Sundial (Prelude) sets the scene with the Townhouse timepiece presiding over the old High Street. The chaotic Charge of the Light Brigade was miraculously survived by local horseman John Penn in the Crimean war at Balaclava in 1854. Bossa di Gelato depicts the longstanding ice-cream factory of Pietroangelo Greco, whilst Craw Blaw (colloquial dialect for Crow Blow) stems from Craw’s Wynd, the former name of Cossar’s Wynd.

Suitable for intermediate to advanced flautists.

Review

Close Encounters for Flute & Piano is a terrific set of short character pieces for an imaginative and energetic flute player! The technical demands sit comfortably within the range of an intermediate to advanced player, with lots of quirky, sometimes unpredictable and always engaging rhythms to excite both player and audience alike. Players could choose to play the whole set or just include a number which would give any recital an extra zing!
Paul Harris (composer)