Aurèle Nicolet, a virtuoso flautist and Emmanuel Pahud's teacher, was deeply interested in the relationships between musical repertoires and the role of time in music.
Historical Context
The solo flute repertoire experienced two 'golden ages': a scarce but foundational period in the Baroque and Classical eras, followed by a significant rebirth in the 20th century after nearly disappearing in the 19th.
Interpretation
Emmanuel Pahud, a pupil of Aurèle Nicolet, aims to discover the 'spirit of creation through performance' for all types of music, from contemporary to classical.
Composition History
Toru Takemitsu's 'Air' was composed for Aurèle Nicolet's 70th birthday and is included on this album as a tribute to his memory.
Instruments
Theobald Boehm's new flute, with its improved tuning, more even tone, and expanded sound palette, significantly advanced the instrument, moving composers beyond simply circumventing its constraints.
Album & Artwork
The album's program for solo flute aims to break from linear chronological progression, offering original and personal perspectives on the repertoire.
Compositional Technique
Telemann's Fantasias for solo flute brilliantly create an illusion of harmony and polyphony by manipulating intervals, using different registers, arpeggiated chords, and Lombard rhythms.
