Laszlo Sary – Niagara (2008)

Most of the compositions here are endearing little pieces for two or more flutes. Obviously, it’s still entirely possible to sound original even if one hasn’t completely abandoned tonality. Influences of minimalism can easily be detected (for example, Grandmother’s Dance, Canon, Pebble Playing in a Pot); others are just-so melodies hopping to and fro like dainty butterflies. All in all sympathetic music, with track 3, Landscape in C as the odd man out; this could just as well have been composed by early Tangerine Dream. Which is not to say it’s bad (I’d be offending both Sary and TD); it just doesn’t strike me as sensationally new.
Ludus Cromaticus, Studies for two flutes and Moondog, then, are my personal favorites here. These are fine examples from the modern repertoir for flute.

Tracks:

01. Magnificat (1985) - for soprano and 3 flutes [0:06:26.45]
02. Duet (2001)- for 2 flutes [0:00:59.73]
03. Landscape in C (1982) - for 3 flutes and synhesizer [0:13:03.00]
04. Ludus Cromaticus (1987) - version for 6 flutes [0:02:49.30]
05. Moondog (1990) - version for 4 flutes [0:03:35.32]
06. Grandmother's Dance (1978) - version for bass flute and harpsichord [0:04:53.47]
07. Studies (1989) - for 2 flutes [0:03:11.50]
08. Canon (1977) - version for 6 flutes [0:04:56.35]
09. Niagara (1992) - for flute and percussion [0:02:59.06]
10. Tango (1989) - version for 4 flutes [0:02:55.02]
11. Sunflowers (1989) - version for 3 flutes [0:04:12.66]
12. Four of Us (2003/2007) version for 4 flutes [0:04:56.64]
13. Fives Repeated (1986) - version for flute, bass flute and glasses [0:04:22.20]
14. Pebble Playing in a Pot (1980) - version for 4 flutes [0:08:03.09]

Performers:

Manuel Zurria – Flutes, percussions, keyboard
Alda Caiello – soprano
Salvatore Carchiolo – harpsichord