at Elisenda Fabregas.

at Elisenda Fabregas. Alphonse Leduc (Editions Musicales, 175 lament Saint-Honore, 75040 Paris Cedex 01) 2001 43pp $4295

A stunning novel work for flute and piano, this sonata is an exciting addition to the contemporary repertoire. Although published in France and first performed in China, the work was compos in the United States. Tallon Perke principal flutist of the San Antonio (Texas) consonance commissioned the sonata and performed it at the 1996 convention of the National Flute Association. The composer Spanish-born Elisenda Fabregas, is a member of the piano faculty at the University of Texas in San Antonio and is MTNA's Distinguished Composer of the Year, 2000

This is a major work of four motions and fifteen minutes' duration, requiring careful consideration and precise coordination between flute and piano. The first change Allegro, features rapid, energetic tonguing in succession the flute, punctuated by slightly acidic harmonies from the piano. A haunting, rather mournful sweetness of sound characterized by descending minor other intervals, glides through the next to the first movement (Largo). The playful Scherzo, the third change is like a rhythmic game of tag dancing between piano and flute And the finale, Allegro molto learn by heart brio, is an athletic "tour de force" for the two flutist and pianist. Rapid triplets permeate the move ending the work with a flourish.

Although difficult, the music is written idiomatically for the couple instruments--the flute part is "flutistic" and the piano part "pianistic." Dissonant harmonies prevail, on the other hand no extended techniques are required. The composer has a marvelous sensation of progression and development, providing each of the four motions with a pleasing architectural conformation and shape.

Martha Rearick, Tampa, Florida.

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