Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Suite from
The Incredible Flutist
(1938)
Walter Piston (1894-1976)
The Suite from
The Incredible Flutist
is scored for piccolo, two
flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two
bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, three
trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, piano and strings. The
performance time is 17 minutes. The Grant Park Orchestra first
performed this work on August 4, 1956, Milton Katims conducting.
The following précis of American composer Walter Piston’s ballet appeared in the
August 1938 issue of
Dance
magazine: “The siesta is over and the village shakes off its
drowsiness. First to wake up is the Apprentice who opens the shop, and life begins its
eventful flow. The Merchant’s Daughters demonstrate their father’s wares. The Busybody
and the Crank have their argument. But what is this? ... A march is heard! The Circus
Band, marches in, followed by the people of the circus: Barker, Jugglers, Snake Dancer,
Monkey Trainer with her Monkeys, Crystal Gazer, and, of course, the main attraction, the
Flutist. The Flutist is an incredible fellow. He not only charms snakes; he also charms the
Snake Dancer. He is so romantic and perhaps just a bit promiscuous, for he also charms
the Merchant’s Daughter, and they meet that very evening. Young couples are all over
the place, and love is in the air. Even the prudish, rich Widow cannot resist the charged
atmosphere, and she grants the Merchant the kiss he’s been begging for well nigh two
years. But they don’t fare so well. Their sustained embrace is discovered, and the Widow
faints right into the arms of her bewhiskered boyfriend. But the Incredible Flutist hies
to her rescue. A little dancing, a little fluting, and the Widow comes out of her swoon,
none the worse for wear. And then ... the Band strikes up, the spell is broken; the Circus,
Incredible Flutist and all, leave the village.”
©2014 Dr. Richard E. Rodda
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