Composer

:

Charles Tomlinson Griffes

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1918

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Nov 16, 1919

Average_duration

:

10:33

Charles Tomlinson Griffes' "Poem, for flute & orchestra, A. 93" is a one-movement work that was composed in 1918. It premiered on February 27, 1919, with Georges Barrère as the soloist and Walter Damrosch conducting the New York Symphony Orchestra. The piece is characterized by its lush, impressionistic harmonies and its virtuosic flute writing. The opening section features a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the solo flute, accompanied by shimmering strings and harp. The middle section is more agitated, with the orchestra providing a pulsing rhythmic backdrop for the flute's rapid-fire runs and trills. The final section returns to the lyrical mood of the opening, with the flute soaring above the orchestra in a series of soaring, expressive phrases. Griffes was heavily influenced by the French Impressionist composers of his time, particularly Debussy and Ravel, and this influence is evident in the dreamy, atmospheric quality of the music. However, Griffes also drew on his own American heritage, incorporating elements of Native American and African American music into his compositions. Overall, "Poem, for flute & orchestra, A. 93" is a stunning showcase for the flute, with its demanding technical passages and expressive lyricism. It remains one of Griffes' most popular and enduring works, and a beloved staple of the flute repertoire.

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