Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) The D major Concerto is a transcription of his C major Concerto for oboe. It is still very popular to this day and for good reason. Its melody lines are infectious and has a driving rhythm. This is a playful Mozart

2. Adagio This section is very different to the 1st movement. It is particularly slow and so requires the flautist to be extremely expressive in their playing. It requires a rich tone and controlled vibrato. Each note needs to be placed exactly to create the right atmosphere. The most demanding part of this movement is breath control. Many phrases are lengthy and the tempo is very slow.

3. Rondeau This last movement is extremely quirky and exciting both to play and to listen to. It consists of many short phrases that are repeated throughout. The middle section creates suspension that is contained in one or two bar phrases. It is resolved by a return to the original theme. This movement uses dynamics and articulation to great effect . The piece ends on another return to the original theme with an extended ending of semi quaver runs. The ending ties in all the elements of this piece perfectly.

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

Poulenc was mainly a self-taught composer, although he did study with Charles Koechlin for about one year. He became associated with a group of French composers known as Les Six who tried to change the formal style that had been set by the like of Debussy. After the group split, Poulenc continued in that style and was to create unique and immediately identifiable works later on.

The Sonata for Flute and Piano was written in 1957. It is very short, at only about 12 minutes in length, but has become a standard work in many flautists repertoire. This sonata, is very appropriately written for the flute. It is full of clever tunes and delicate harmonies. It exploit's the range of the flute. As the modern flute has evolved the range has consequently increased. This piece ranges from a middle C to a B 3 octaves higher.

2. Cantilena This movement has a very simple melody line that causes huge impact. The beginning of the movement requires no expression . The second phrase requires definition and expression must be gradually increased. It needs to be treated tenderly. As the dynamics increase more expression is required. There is a tension that is built up throughout the first half of this movement. It is finally released in the middle section and brought back to a very quiet and contained ending. The animated section is a sharp contrast to the smooth lyrical section previous.

The last note is probably the most difficult in the piece. It is a high F that must be played extremely quietly. It needs excellent support from the diaphragm to produce a note with the right tone to end the movement. The hardest technique needed in this piece is to keep a fixed embouchure. This is needed to ensure all notes are kept in tune.If supported on the higher notes and if difficult rhythms are counted correctly this piece can be beautiful.