Alfredo Casella

With a huge range of repertoire existing for the Flute Italian composer Alfredo Casella's Sicilienne et Burlesque stands out as an extremely evocative and inspiring piece composed notably as WWI broke out across Europe. Having studied at the Paris Conservatoire from 1896 under the direction of Gabriel Fauré >i>Casella received an exceedingly high standard of education. His clear compositional ability and understanding of the Flute is portrayed in his Sicilienne et Burlesque through the use of advanced Flute techniques and brilliant ensemble devices exploiting the duet between Flute and Piano. TheSicilienne is in a slow compound time significantly contrasted by the light and comedic Burlesque. These aspects combine to create an enjoyable and challenging piece for advanced flautists.

Casella used simple melodies in the style of the old Italian masters as a basis for these compositions. As a paved way to the sonority of twentieth century music the effects achieved offer a journey into a new world of sound.