Taking Turns (Flute Trio)

Commissioned by the sound festival for The Scottish Flute Trio. First performance: November 13, 2008. Duff House, Banff, Scotland.

In this work all three players in turn play each of the three instruments - piccolo, flute andalto flute - thus giving a contrasted sound to match the character of the four linked movements: hence the title. Sleepy using all three alto flutes begins on the lowest note - G. The mood gradually changes as they introducehigher pitches and faster rhythms as they 'wake up'. In Lyrical a flute introduces the melody, which is then shared by a second flute and later by the alto flute. With Mischievous the piccolos arrive on the scene. The firstoneincites another piccolo and then the flute to join in. The tempo quickens and after a brief climax the mood quietens leading to Peaceful. In this last movement all three instruments are played. In turn they present a lyricalmelody but in different keys so as to suit their individual tessituras.