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M U Z I K O L O Š K I Z B O R N I K • M U S I C O L O G I C A L A N N U A L L I I I / 1
Slovenian music literature for solo flute
The history of the flute dates back about 43.000 to 82.000 years, as can be deduced from the finding of the first flute at the »Divje Babe« archaeological site near Cerkno in Slovenia in 1995. It can be considered as the first Neanderthal flute and the oldest known musical instrument. Taking into account its long historical development from the beginnings until 1847, when Theobald Böhm designed the modern transverse flute, we can notice that the interest of Slovenian composers for the flute as a solo instrument began to develop relatively late.
The present thesis focuses on Slovenian flute repertory, including works for concert flute and its family members: piccolo, alto flute and bass flute. The first part of the thesis, entitled The Expansion of Slovenian Flute Literature after 1945, presents flute literature in different decades, giving a more detailed description of some important and more often performed pieces for flute. The second, analytical part, entitled The Analyses of Selected Works for Solo Flute, focuses on the analyses of chosen pieces by composers who were prolific authors of music for solo flute, including piccolo, alto flute and bass flute. Seven composers are presented (Ballata, Bonin, Firšt, Merku`, Ramovš, Rojko, Sojar Voglar), together with twelve pieces for solo flute. The analysis includes examining structure, rhythmic and melodic aspect and interpretation as well as the composer’s commentary on the piece, reviews, and recordings in case they exist.
Slovenian flute literature comprises a wide variety of works for solo flute, works scored for flute and piano, orchestra or Big Band, and works for various chamber en- sembles, from flute duets to larger ensembles.
A milestone in Slovenian flute literature after 1945 is the first published piece for flute from 1948, Sonata for Flute and Piano by Pavel Šivic. The early compositions are predominantly pieces for various chamber ensembles, since the flute became interest- ing as a solo instrument rather late. The next important work in Slovenian flute litera- ture is the first piece for solo flute by Primož Ramovš, Expansion for Flute Solo from 1963. The earliest solo pieces were dedicated to the flutists Boris Čampa and Fedja Rupel, and later ones already to their students.
Many excellent Slovenian flutists are a great encouragement for Slovenian compos- ers, therefore we can claim with certainty that there will be even more Slovenian flute literature in the future.
Defended on 28 September 2016, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana.
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