Thoughts about Muczynski

About ten years ago I played some solo flute music by Robert Muczynski. I didn't realize at the time that he was a living composer (unfortunately he passed away in 2010). This morning, I've been listening to him a lot. I have the "Complete Music for Flute" on my iPod, and Allegro Ma Non Troppo, one of the movements from one of his Duos for flute and clarinet came on during my "shuffle all songs" session on my drive in to work. (Preceded by "Running Loaded," by Mudhoney, a "grunge" band from the 90s, "Little Man with a Gun in His Hand," by the Minutemen, and "You Wreck Me," by Tom Petty. Yes you read that correctly.)
This movement is less than a minute long (Alexandra Hawley is the flutist, and she kicks ass, as does the clarinet player, Gregory Dufford), and it sounds soooo fun. I would love to play it (as if I have time to study and practice enough to pull it off; as if I know any clarinet players willing to work with me. I'm also not sure I have the chops; even at my most practiced, I'm not sure if I'm a good enough flutist for this stuff). I think I read somewhere that there's an arrangement for two flutes; it might be easier to ask another flutist to play it with me. Anybody interested?

Anyway, I will post some YouTube videos later, or maybe just a link so you can listen to it. If I don't get around to it, do a little search on your own, you won't regret it. I think Muczynski might be one of my favorite composers. Really fun, interesting stuff.

And for those of you going to the flute convention in August, Phillip Dikeman will be performing the Sonata for Flute and Piano on Thursday afternoon, August 9th, starting at 12:30. That one sounds really challenging and beautiful. I wouldn't miss that opportunity to hear it, if I were you.