Suzanne Shulman & Erica Goodman – Serenades & Sonatas for Flute and Harp (2018) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

This programme has been nurtured from a selection of pieces inspired by English gardens, including Vaughan Williams’ lovely ‘Fantasia on Greensleeves,’ spreading out towards French and Italian repertoire that evokes pastoral settings of birdsong, fountains and springs, and topped with a light-hearted musical picnic dessert. Along the way we are treated to the exquisite melody of Elgar’s Chanson de matin and the nostalgic atmosphere of William Alwyn’s ‘Naiades.’ Nino Rota’s film music credits include The Godfather, and his sublime and festive Sonata adds a celebratory touch to the personal joy of these performers’ many years of musical friendship. The combination of flute and harp always creates an atmosphere of beauty, with contrasting but complementary sonorities that have been exploited by a multitude of composers over the years. The pastoral theme of this program has been carefully chosen to include music from the Baroque and Romantic eras right up to the contemporary.

Tracklist:
01. Fantasia on Greensleeves (Arr. for Flute & Harp)
02. Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite (Arr. for Flute & Harp): I. Prelude
03. Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite (Arr. for Flute & Harp): II. Spring
04. Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite (Arr. for Flute & Harp): III. Mists
05. Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite (Arr for Flute & Harp): IV. Exotica
06. Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite (Arr. for Flute & Harp): V. Summer
07. Piéces de clavecin, Book 3, 14th Ordre in D Major: I. Le rossignol-en-amour (Arr. for Flute & Harp)
08. Piéces de clavecin, Book 3, 14th Ordre in D Major: V. Le rossignol-vainqueur (Arr. for Flute & Harp)
09. Les oiseaux Suite (Arr. for Flute & Harp)
10. La source, Op. 44
11. Sonata for Flute & Harp: I. Allegro molto moderato
12. Sonata for Flute & Harp: II. Andante sostenuto
13. Sonata for Flute & Harp: III. Allegro festoso
14. Naiades
15. Serenade (Arr. for Flute & Harp)
16. Chanson de matin, Op. 15 No. 2 (Arr. for Flute & Harp)
17. Suite for Flute & Harp: V. Strawberries and Cream