The 10 Best Flute Concertos

The flute is one of the oldest and most popular instruments that has been a part of orchestras for centuries. They are beautiful instruments when played in orchestral music, but sound even better solo accompanied by an orchestra. Below are some of our favorite flute concertos of all time. Do you have any favorites that we missed?

1.Chaminade: Flute Concertino in D Major

Chaminade’s Flute Concertino was originally written for solo flute and piano accompaniment but an orchestra accompaniment was later added. This was Chaminade’s most popular composition during her lifetime and it remains as popular today as it once was. It was an examination composition for students in Paris Conservatoire. This is a one-movement composition consisting of a Rondo.

 

2. W. A. Mozart: Flute Concerto No. 1

One of the only two flute concertos by Mozart, Flute concerto No. 1 was written in 1778. The piece starts with a prelude by the orchestra and the beautiful melody of the flute comes in. This piece will soothe you and let me tell you one thing, you will listen to it over and over again.

This masterpiece has the following 3 movements:

  1. Allegro maestoso
  2. Adagio ma non-troppo
  3. Rondo: Tempo di Menuetto

Instruments: This music is scored for one flute, full string rchestra, two oboes, and two horns.

 

3. Aram Khachaturian: Flute Concerto

While Khachaturian did not actually compose a flute concerto, his violin concerto was transcribed for flute. He wrote this composition in 1940. The slow lullaby will take you to a nocturnal realm for sure. A typical performance lasts about 35 minutes.

This beautiful transformative work is consists of three movements. They include:

  1. Allegro con fermezza
  2. Andante sostenuto
  3. Allegro vivace

Instruments: 2 Flutes, 2 Bassoons, 2 Clarinets, 2 Oboes, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 4 Horns, Tuba, Timpani, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, English horn, Harp, and Strings.

4. Christoph Willibald Gluck: Flute Concerto in G Major

This composition is scored with solo flute and piano, but an orchestral arrangement was added for a smaller orchestra. The composition has a simple texture. Nonetheless, it is good enough to make you happy for a moment. You’ll enjoy it for sure.

This piece has come with three movements. They are:

  1. Allegro non molto
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro comodo

Instruments: solo Flute, Orchestra, 2 Horns, and Strings.

5. Rosetti: Flute Concerto in D Major

This composition from Rosetti is a beautiful piece of art that will surely bring peace to your mind. It starts off with about a minute of the orchestra before the solo flute begins to play it’s flowing melody.

This jolly composition has 3 movements as well. They include:

  1. Allegro maestoso
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro

Instruments: It has been scored for a nice set of instruments including solo Flute, 2 Oboes, 2 Horns, Strings, and Continuo.

 

6. Joseph Haydn: Flute Concerto

This composition by Haydn was written in 1780 and is one of his best flute compositions. The first movement is high-spirited with flowing rhythm and melody. The rest of the piece evolves into a beautiful masterpiece.

Typically, a performance lasts for 19 minutes comprising of the follow 3 movements:

  1. Allegro molto
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro molto

Instruments: This piece is scored for solo flute, an orchestra of strings, two horns, and piano.

 

7. Friedrich Schwindel: D Major Flute Concerto

This complex yet robust piece of composition is thought to be written in between the 1770s to 1780s.  It has a bold opening followed by a soft melody. This composition will engage you totally with the music.

The beautiful composition is fun to play and it has 3 movements.

  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio
  3. Rondo

Instruments: Solo Flute, 2 Oboes, 2 Horns, and Strings.

 

8. C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concerto in G Major

Flute Concerto in G major is one of Bach’s most exciting and unpredictable compositions. The back and forth of the composition will evoke quite a few emotions, but in the end will cheer you up.

The timid work of flute and peaceful coexistence with an orchestra is good enough to make the moment lively.  On average, a performance lasts for 25 minutes. It has 3 movements as follows:

  1. Allegro di molto
  2. Largo
  3. Presto

Instruments: solo Flute, Orchestra, Keyboard and Strings.

 

9. Francois Devienne: Flute Concerto No. 2 in D Major

This mixed scale composition by Devienne is a beautiful piece of art. It brings out a player’s creativity in finger technique. As for you the listener, you’ll find the music absolutely pleasant and it will bring joy to your mind.

This jolly composition has three movements:

  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio
  3. Rondo: Allegretto

Instruments: Solo Flute, 2 oboes, 2 Horns, and Strings.

 

10. August Eberhard Muller: Flute Concerto in E Minor

August was a complete Mozartian and he followed the classical pattern in his composition. He was a keyboardist and a flutist at the same time. His flute concerto in E minor is dramatic and dark.

This composition has 3 movements:

  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegretto con variatizioni

Instruments: Solo Flute, Orchestra, Keyboard, and Strings.

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