This work, in my transcription for 4 flutes and piano, will hopefully be of interest to flutists for two reasons. First, the transcription adds to the flute quartet repertoire a virtuoso showpiece that represents the zenith of sustained velocity for the flute, made practical by the division of lines among four flutists. Second, Alkan’s work – which is obscure even among pianists – is a masterpiece of 19th C. descriptive music. It was originally composed for piano solo, and has been performed by only three pianists in history (one was Alkan), so difficult is it. The work lends itself to theatrical presentation, as I have outlined on the cover page. My transcription has been performed in this manner, with great success – and I hope that other flute quartets will continue this tradition with even more creative presentations, possibly featuring film or video, for example.

Instrumental parts are available on rental from Noteworthy Musical Editions. For more information about renting instrumental performance materials for this work, please visit Noteworthy Musical Editions’ website at http://noteworthy.zasu.us

Here is a link to this score on the website of Noteworthy Musical Editions:

http://noteworthy.zasu.us/composers/Alkan/comme%20le%20vent/comme_le_vent.html

In addition to perusing the score online and hearing it played by basic MIDI sounds with SCORCH, you can also listen online to an MP3 of Comme le vent, made with enhanced musical sounds.

Please let me know what you think of my arrangement of Alkan’s Comme le vent - either by email (just click the button EMAIL THE PUBLISHER) or with an online review. I am always interested to read listeners’ comments about my compositions and transcriptions.

Performance materials are available on rental from Noteworthy Musical Editions (noteworthy@zasu.us).

MS