Matthew Quayle - Perseids for C Flute with Glissando Headjoint and Piano

Vladimir Tsybin - Concert Allegro No. 1 for Flute and Piano

While John Dowland is known for music for voice(s) and lute, his craftsmanship lends itself well to adaptation for modern instruments. The thought experiment I use in creating these arrangements is, “What would Dowland have done with a modern flute and piano?” Here, three of his most famous songs are arranged for flute and piano. The arrangements modulate keys to create a modern three movement work; dynamics and ornamentation are employed to exploit the capacities of the Boehm system flute. Overall, it is conceived as a “Dowland sonata,” applying a contemporary flair to 16th century masterworks.

Steve Owens, flutist/arranger and Rob Frankenberry, piano, recorded at the Compervisor Showcase, Vermont College of Fine Arts music composition residency at Cal Arts, June 27, 2025.

Come Again!

Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni is one of the most beloved orchestral interludes in the operatic repertoire. Composed in 1890, it embodies the lyrical warmth and emotional intensity of Italian verismo, offering a moment of profound reflection within the opera’s dramatic context. In this arrangement for flute and piano by Eduardo González, the solo line captures the soaring expressiveness of Mascagni’s original string melodies, while the piano part preserves the lush harmonic texture of the orchestral accompaniment. The result is an intimate and deeply lyrical interpretation that showcases the flute’s singing tone and capacity for heartfelt expression.

Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticana (arr. Eduardo González)

Calm as the Night (Still wie die Nacht), Op. 326 by Carl Bohm is one of the most beloved German songs of the late Romantic era. Written around 1888, it exemplifies Bohm’s gift for lyrical simplicity and heartfelt emotion. The song’s tender melody and gentle harmonic flow evoke a sense of serenity and quiet devotion, making it a favorite among vocalists and instrumentalists alike.
In this arrangement for flute and piano by Eduardo González, the flute takes the place of the vocal line, singing with a warm, expressive tone while the piano provides a delicate, flowing accompaniment. The result is a lyrical miniature of intimate beauty, perfectly suited to showcase the flute’s vocal qualities and poetic phrasing.

Calm as the Night (Still wie die Nacht), Op. 326 – for Flute and Piano (arr. Eduardo González)

Berceuse from Dolly Suite, Op. 56 by Gabriel Fauré is a tender and lyrical piece originally composed for piano in 1893–1896 as part of a suite dedicated to the young Hélène “Dolly” Bardac. The work’s gentle rocking rhythm and warm, flowing melody evoke the serene intimacy of a lullaby, combining elegance and subtle harmonic sophistication characteristic of Fauré’s style.
In this arrangement for flute and piano by Eduardo González, the flute carries the melodic line, imbuing it with a singing, expressive tone, while the piano provides the soft, supportive accompaniment. The arrangement preserves the piece’s delicate charm and poetic nuance, offering a refined and intimate interpretation that highlights the lyrical qualities of both instruments.

Berceuse, from Dolly Suite, Op. 56 – for Flute and Piano (arr. Eduardo González)

Jungle Fantasy (1948) by Esy Morales is a dazzling and rhythmically vibrant work that captures the exuberant spirit of Afro-Caribbean jazz from the mid-20th century. Originally composed and performed by Morales — a virtuoso flutist and bandleader known for his expressive tone and rhythmic flair — the piece combines Latin dance rhythms, jazz harmonies, and playful improvisatory gestures in a uniquely tropical soundscape.
In this arrangement for flute, piano, and Latin percussion by Eduardo González, Jungle Fantasy comes to life with renewed color and vitality. The flute leads with agile melodic lines and jazz-inflected phrasing, supported by the piano’s syncopated harmonies and the irresistible drive of congas and bongos. The result is a captivating fusion of classical refinement and Latin jazz energy — a celebration of rhythm, melody, and joy.

Jungle Fantasy – for Flute, Piano, and Latin Percussion (arr. Eduardo González)

Composer's notes about the piece : Movement 1, "Creation Encompassed," plays with the consistency of time and the elasticity of creation. The piano maintains a relentless pulse and a fluctuating theme that is at once celebratory, somber, and reflective. The flute manipulates the theme of a repeating sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth-note pattern.
The second movement, "The Playful Spirit," is a brief, fast-paced movement. It reminds the listener of the intense and childlike nature of humanity, with a dance-like and erratic character.
The final movement, "Tidal Shifts," is a commentary on our planet's oceans, the life within them, and their dependence on the moon and the universe. I explored several key concepts in this movement, which resulted in multiple themes weaving in and out. The concluding section is an homage to the opening theme from "Creation Encompassed." I wanted the piece to end with a sense of incompleteness, emphasizing that these enormous spiritual and physical realities that we exist within will continue long after our ability to comprehend them or witness them for ourselves.
Stardust Sonata can be purchased at dsmusiks.com 

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Stardust Sonata - III "Tidal Shifts"

Stardust Sonata - I "Creation Encompassed"

Stardust Sonata - II "The Playful Spirit"

Steve Owens grew up in upstate NY, and has a bachelor's in musicology, a master’s in Music Education and an MFA in music composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts.  He developed parallel careers as a concert flutist and as an educator in Vermont public schools.  He's published band, choral, and chamber compositions with Hal Leonard and Alry.  Steve has since left academics to pursue composition full time. Recent performances include a woodwind quintet played by City of Tomorrow, and an electro-acoustic sextet performed by The Playground Ensemble. His latest work, "Dysphoria" for the Truberry Duo, explores the inner experience of neurodivergence, drawing on his own experience as an autistic educator.

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