Free Lark Ascending for Flute, Cello, Pno Trio

 Dear Flutelovers,

I shall never love a gentle-souled composer more than Vaughn Williams. And of the many pieces of his which I grew up listening to, the one that transfixes the most is "The Lark Ascending" for violin and orchestra. Sixteen years ago I realized that there was a free copy on IMSLP for violin and piano! (Who knew that the composer wrote this version first, and so it's the first to be free of copywrite?! See "transcriptions" at the above link). So I decided to try and arrange it for my flute, cello and piano trio back then. I would like to offer this arrangement for flute, cello and piano to everyone for free as a gift. 

Here is the full piano score and parts with cues for your enjoyment:

Jen's Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams, in pdf for Flute, Cello and Piano

Enjoy and hope this arrangement comes in useful!

Best, Jen

Lorna McGhee Interview

Dear Flutelovers,

I just loved this interview with Lorna McGhee for so many reasons. One of the stunning things she has done, just last year, was to take the audition for the Boston Symphony and she WON it! And she's currently 52 years old! Hear all about that in Part 1 of the interview. Fascinating.

In Part 2 she talks about breath (oceanic and bouncing), the vocal quality, singing while playing, William Bennett's tone colours, some fabulous new pieces she's working on for her next recording in Japan, and other intimate details of her work on expanding the tone colours of the flute. Enjoy!

Lorna McGhee Interview Part 1 (video)

Lorna McGhee Interview Part 2 (video)

Comments are welcome!

Best, Jen

Julin Cheung; just amazing!

Dear Flutelovers,

Once in while a story about a young flute player comes along that is simply amazing!

This young person, Julin Cheung, won his first professional audition last year, before he had even finished high school. Enjoy these videos charting his progress.

 Firstly, this is a terrific documentary by PBS: PBS interview and concert: Julin Cheung (flute/piccolo)

And here's a good video that's also an interview: (video)

And I really enjoyed the first two selections especially in this full length grad recital (video)

What a terrific use of vibrato and non-vib. Lovely.

All our best to this young man and every best wish for his continued success.

Comments welcome.

Best, Jen

Free great novice Trios for Flutes in pdf

 Dear Flutelovers,

 Is it time to start up a new trio of flutists with some superb new (free!!) sheet music? As a gift I am giving away two very classic and beautiful trios, suitable for novice players. These are gorgeous.

Firstly, the third flute player becomes the secretly emerging soloist in the opening Allegro from:

 1. Autumn from Vivaldi's Four Seasons: Autumn. Download the trio in pdf (3pages). 

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Secondly, you may be familiar with the fascinating world of Mozart in London in 1764, when he was only eight years old, and the miniatures he composed at that time, entitled "The London Sketchbooks"?

2. Mozart's London Sketchbooks: Download G minor & F Major in parts for novice trio in pdf

Mozart's London Sketchbook performed on keyboard (video):

Fabulouso they are too!

At IMSLP these have been arranged as recorder/flute trios by Jakub Kowalewski. See the trio score under 'Arrangements and Transcriptions' in the tabs. Here is the direct link to the score for three flutes in pdf.

I played through all the above trios by Mozart's youngest possible self and selected two really spunky ones, and wrote out separate parts for these two faves. Here they are as a gift:

2. Mozart's London Sketchbooks: G minor & F Major in parts for novice trio in pdf (two page parts of two of the sketches). Download the score to explore but you can use the parts immediately!

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Finally, easiest of all and also at IMSLP (free music website) I found:

3.  the Easy Flute/Recorder arrangements for trio by Clarke Kimberling. These are excellent! My particular favourites from the above book of trios are: (They are in alphabetical order in the score table of contents):

Ayesha, Bulgarian Dance, Dorian Dance, 

El Marinero en el Mar, Lullabye 1

 and the lovely Wiltshire Meadow.

Highly recommend. Any flute trio of any age or ability level can manage these Kimberling trios. They're great rhythmic studies too. Very good writing. Enjoy!

Best, Jen

Repertoire Request for Chestnuts

We'll find you some chestnuts. Lots and lots of chestnuts.

 A pianist wrote to me trying to find flute and piano sheetmusic that was appropriate for recitals. Have a read and see what you think, then chime in with added titles and composers in the comments. What other flutey chestnuts would you add to this list?

The Repertoire Request

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Dear Jen,

 I'm a pianist who's seeking flute repertoire sheet music to play in upcoming concerts with a young flutist. She just starting the grade 9 level (last year was 36 Repertoire Pieces, this year she's starting The French Composers book, so let's say grade 8+) and we need some more winners. The audience were certainly loving these particular flute and piano selections last year:

Dance of the Blessed Spirits  -  Gluck
Serenade - Georges - Hue
2nd Minuet from l'Arlesienne - Georges Bizet
Siciliano from Flute Sonata in E-flat major, BWV 1031 -  J. S.  Bach  
Intermezzo from Carmen - Bizet

Can you give me an idea of where to look and what would be suitable to add to this list for our next few shows? I'd love some more non-classical pieces. It would be a bonus if some of the music were at IMSLP or other free pdf site to save on costs. I usually google the piece to see if I can listen to it before downloading it.
Thanks for your help.

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Dear Pianist,

I just went through all my favourite sheetmusic and picked out the specific titles I would recommend as being:

- at the right level for a flutist of grade 9 Royal Conservatory (Canada's grading system) who is just about to start the book of French Composers.

- audience pleasers that are short, recognizable and beautiful/memorable and are most often requested

- equally good for the pianist wherever possible.

Many of these are still under copyright and have to be ordered for mail-delivery from www.fluteworld.com or Carolyn Nussbaum's (https://www.flute4u.com/) in the U.S. or www.justflutes.com if you are in the UK. Several are available for free on www.flutetunes.com

I've listed lots of Baroque and some Classical at: www.jennifercluff.com/faverep.htm (Grade 8 is level B).

These are all Romantic or Contemporary. Here is the list:

Standard Chestnuts for Flute Concerts:

Example of difficulty level: JS Bach's Siciliano from EbMajor Sonata is Royal Conservatory of Music Exam level: Grade 6.

Faure - Sicilienne - is a lovely flowing piece that warms up the ear and heart. Not difficult. Grade 6 RCM. (www.flutetunes.com)

Faure - Morceau de Concours - a stunner! An all time fave. simple but demanding. Grade 8+ RCM (www.flutetunes)

Faure - Pavane (also on www.flutetunes) - breathing can be challenging but this may work. Grade 8 RCM.

Gaubert - Madrigal - enchanting, but a wee bit technical for the flutist. Some tempo changes and ensemble playing with exactitude between pianist and flutist. Grade 8+ RCM (www.flutetunes.com)

Morlacchi - The Swiss Shepherd - a show off extravaganza using a simple theme and variations. James Galway's version rips the paint off the barn. A thrilling ending to a show. Grade 9 RCM (www.flutetunes.com) - longer piece than all others.

Godard - Idylle - a lovely flowing piece with some challenges for the flutist. Grade 9 RCM. (www.flutetunes.com)

Debussy - La Plus Que Lente (arranged for flute/pno.) - gorgeous but a little challenging for the flutist. Grade 9 RCM (www.flutetunes.com)

Exotic Pieces:

May have to purchase at www.fluteworld.com if you cannot find online for free:

Ravel - Piece en forme de Habanera - Spanish exotica; gorgeous. A little challenging for the flutist. Grade 9 RCM.

R. Taki - Moon Over Ruined Castle - Japanese exotica; gorgeous. Grade 8 RCM.

Miyagi - The Sea in Springtime or Haru No Umi - arranged for flute and piano; Japanese, birdcalls, waves, sea swells...incredible piece. Grade 8 RCM.

Will definitely have to purchase these next Modern/Contemporary works,

but SO SO worth it (all are melodious as opposed to atonal):

American:

Samuel Barber - Canzone for flute and piano - stunningly beautiful, a little challenging. Grade 9 RCM.

Leonard Bernstein - Bernstein for Flute published by Boosey & Hawkes - Maria, Tonight, Somewhere. Grade 8 RCM.

European:

John Rutter - Suite Antique for flute and piano - delightful, some challenges in rhythm and stamina. Grade RCM 8-9

Ernst Bloch - Suite Modale for flute and piano - delightful play mvmts 1 and 3 for a short concert. Grade 8 RCM.

Hamilton Harty - In Ireland for flute and piano - wonderful and spunky. Grade 9+ RCM.

David Heath - Out of the Cool - super fun and funkily audience friendly. Grade 8 RCM.

Ian Clarke - Hypnosis - amazing piece and audience friendly to the max. Grade 8+ RCM.

Canadian:

Michael Conway Baker - Elegy for flute and piano - gorgeous, short and like a prayer. Grade 6+ RCM.

Video: https://youtu.be/hyUUglig8C4?si=TwouDoWuMe3edT3h

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Flute Grades around the world:

www.jennifercluff.com/chart.htm

Jen's Favourite Repertoire master list:

 www.jennifercluff.com/faverep.htm

Bonus: Royal Conservatory Syllabus see page 45 for Grade 8:

https://www.jennifercluff.com/FluteSyllabus_RCMCarn.pdf

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Flutists please add your comments and suggested repertoire below.

(comments are moderated before appearing).

Best, Jen

The Magical Flutist by Rehnström

The Magical Flutist – Exercises for Tone and Technique by Katri Rehnström

If you want to buy any flutist you love a book for Christmas, in my opinion, this is the one. Thankyou to Katri for sending me this copy to review!  I've now been working out of this beautiful volume for about a year and every fluteplaying tip work straight off the page like a magical breakthrough to make you hone in on exactly the physical ease you need for effortless and efficient flute technique from breathing to tonguing, from tone quality, to finger work. Have a look at these sample pages to see what I'm talking about: Sample pages here. And visit the book's webpage here.

The book, lovingly written by Katri Rehnström  was inspired by lessons from the Finnish flute pedagogue Rainer Risberg. The aim of the book is to bring the quick tips and exercises immediately into the daily practice of flute intermediates of any age. You can then apply the tips to any and all scales, exercises and passages. I would recommend it for self-teaching adults, amateurs, in lesson exercises for all ages, and especially a great book to use for a summer workshop or series of flute masterclasses.

 Katri's book includes detailed instructions, simple scaler and chromatic exercises, images of various techniques, technical exercises and fun, and easy tips for improving your tone and technique. The exercises have been organized thematically, so that you can customize different practice sessions by choosing a couple of exercises from each chapter as needed. Sample pages here.

I found this book truly fun and engaging. (And I own hundreds of flute books which are not fun and engaging. Notice how I review so few. :>) I also found it refreshing (not least because it is translated from Finnish and brings a fresh flavour to the words) but deeply knowledgeable, and, obviously the culmination of many many years of insightful teaching (Risberg's). He and Katri really comprehend how humans think, play and move when they play the flute musically and beautifully and are able to sum up what is needed in very very few words.

This book is a lot like Wilkinson's "Physical Flute". You get immediate results for every tiny effort because of the great instructions and images. It simply leads you forward. It gives you lasting ideas that allow freedom from physical stress. Your mind just floats through the images and the body responds with the most useful flutey actions. Such a breakthrough. I love working from it. With this on one music stand and a sheaf of beautiful melodies and Bach-like patterns on the other music stand, I could happily improve for the hour without even noticing the time. This is my honest reaction. Delightful!

And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Here is a the Book Review from Flute Almanac. And I see that Carla Rees wrote in the Pan Journal in March of 2025, She wrote: "We’ve become so accustomed to books of exercises that are dry and focus on work---this book is something of a breath of fresh air, breathing new life into the fundamentals of our craft and presented in a format which is likely to encourage younger players to build healthy playing habits. Worth exploring. "  -Carla Rees, Pan Journal March 2025

  Katri was also recipient of a global flute excellence award of the year by the Flute Almanac:

Quote:  "Awarded for Creativity and Practicality in Teaching the Flute. "Katri Rehnström’s “The Magical Flutist: Exercises for Tone and Technique” has become a sensation among flutists and educators alike. Her thematic and creative exercises, inspired by Finnish pedagogy, have been heralded as groundbreaking tools for tone and technique. The book’s wide accessibility and global acclaim reflect her ability to translate advanced concepts into user-friendly resources for all levels. Rehnström’s work has brought fresh, imaginative approaches to familiar challenges, inspiring joy and innovation in flute practice worldwide."

Jen continues:

I'd love to take this opportunity to share what Katri wrote to me with some of her thoughts about the book when it first came out. She wrote:

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"Here are some of my thoughts about the contents of my new book:

Sometimes it feels (at least for me at this point), that it's suddenly SO much about getting back to shape and staying in shape. This book, with all its details, gives, for me as well, a chance to "mentally" go back to flute lessons. And I have used it with good results to getting ready for concerts and gigs in relatively short time. 

- One of my colleagues said: "It feels like I'm back in Rainer Risberg's flute lessons." I've always loved being in flute lessons and it was something I didn't want to end. With the help of this book, I was able to save the legacy for myself and also share it with others!

- As a child I loved the material with inspiring pictures that had a connection to the songs and to the things to be practiced.  It supports the technique and keeps the creativity channel open - and it was a lot of fun! As an adult, I have asked, WHY it easily disappears from the teaching material? I think Rainer Risberg knew how to perfectly combine the intelligent work with being able to have fun in practice sessions, also in professional studies. 

- These wise words "time, patience and intelligent work" are essential. But I have thought that when someone has spent enough time and patience, what remains after that, is specifically the intelligent work. This is one reason why the exercises are not written in all keys. Clarity. It saves time and helps to focus on the essential things.

- The exercises are also easy to modify. The same exercise can be played with five notes or it can be expanded throughout the register. However, the basic idea is the same, whether you are a beginner or more advanced. Everybody can quite easily find a connection with nature and birds etc. Suddenly the interpretation is not that difficult anymore. " Katri Rehnström

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So I guess you can tell that I just love this book, use it daily, and recommend it for the flutists nearest you this holiday season. You can buy online at Indigo in Canada, and for all other countries and the U.S. see all the online bookshops here.

Enjoy enjoy! And leave comments if you'd like to add your insights!

Best, Jen

Fabulous Bach Flute Trio BWV 1020

Dear Flute-lovers,

Here is a free gift for all my flutey readers. (So now is a good time to start forming your Fall Flute Trios with all your flute friends and students. :>)

 Here is my very own sheetmusic for the very fabulous J.S. Bach Sonata in G minor,BWV 1020, with two movements arranged for equal flute trio! Download the free pdf of the trio's score and parts for free as a gift from me to you. :>)

And here is a midi recording of the flute trio: listen here.

Oh wow, is this trio fun to play! It's for intermediate students to professionals. The Adagio is the easier of the two movements. This is the kind of music especially useful for flute chamber groups created by overlapping lessons, with two equal students and one teacher. But. at home alone, it is just as fun to play any of the three parts along with a professional recording of the G minor sonata's second and third movements, (see below for the Galway recordings). I mean, you really get to know a piece of Bach well when you play each of the voices, one by one, effortlessly and silkily diving and weaving through the other two voices. It's so so fun! I love it the most when all the parts are equal like this.

 I was inspired to arrange good quality trios for equal players due to several real-life reasons:

1. There are very few excellent published flute trios when you've already played all the good ones!

This void in the repertoire can affect the choice of pieces for a dedicated trio who've been playing together for more than a year or two. So we flute-lovers all have to write and arrange our own to fill the void in the repertoire, I think. And there's tons of gorgeous music in public domain. I will try and share more of the trios I've arranged from that source in the coming months, all for free! I had so much fun arranging and playing it! I use a multi-track recorder and record all three parts. Tell me if you need to know more in the comments. Excellent fun!

2. When you have two flute students who can overlap their lessons you can really enrich their lives with chamber music of high quality such as trios. I utilized the final 15 minutes of student A's hour long lesson and the first 15 minutes of student B's lesson to give a full 30 minutes of chamber music to both of their weekly visits. It is super fun and inspiring for the students and creates real incentive to practice and prepare!! Trios are the answer for harmonic thrills when you've been playing alone for so long during the week of practice. The addition of vertical harmony makes it sound like an orchestra of flutes and all three are learning to imitate, play articulations identically, and perfect their intonation (much easier if they've prepared using backing tracks, midi, or pro-recordings.)

 I sent along links to these Galway recordings when I was inspiring students to play with style and virtuosity, but do suggest your own fave recordings of this sonata too. Surely there are some wonderful ones I haven't heard yet.

Galway plays the BWV 1020 Adagio (video)

Galway plays the third movement Allegro of BWV 1020 (video)

3. It's always far more interesting for each player when the three parts of a Trio are truly equal so that each player can shine, so I particularly prefer arrangements where the flutists share the lead melody and equally share the bass lines and interior parts. That way each learns to accompany as well as to take the solo with conviction. Everyone can learn, by ear, from hearing everyone else play the material presented by the trio, and the true skills of ensemble playing are explored: how to blend, how to phrase, how to imitate, how to play truly together. And no one is left with a boring part to practice all week (I find that boring 3rd flute parts rarely get practiced by students, but thrilling equal parts played along with backing tracks or pro-recordings make a student massively practice!)

So for these three reasons, I'm sharing my equal trios with you all.

So enjoy this free JS Bach Trio sheetmusic! I love this G minor as a trio so much. It honestly plays itself!

All best,

Jen Cluff

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Other trios Jen recommends: Zempleni, Sandra Howard, McGuire, Casterade, Boismortier's.

Trios Jen has written for sale if you need more for gigs:

Celtic Suites for three equal flutes

Christmas Trios for three equal flutes