by Leonard Garrison, Associate Professor of Flute, The
University of Idaho
Copyright©2014 by Leonard
Garrison
To view my teaching video of this piece, please visit my YouTube Channel.
French teacher, pianist, and composer Gérard Meunier (b.
1928) was director of the Aubervilliers-La Corneuve Conservatory, just
northeast of Paris, for thirty years. He has written much solo piano music and
works for various wind instruments, and many of his works are for younger
musicians.
Au crepuscule means
“at dusk,” and this short work captures the peaceful atmosphere of that time of
day. The main challenge to the flutist is creating long phrases by minimizing
rests and keeping the tone moving and alive through longer notes. As the piano
accompaniment is simple and unobtrusive, play somewhat freely, lingering on important
or interesting notes, moving ahead to build excitement, and slowing down to
highlight major points of arrival. For instance, crescendo through the first note and sustain throughout the first
four measures. The next phrase (meas. 6-9) can move ahead a bit and then
stretch going into meas. 10.
Project the lower notes so they match the brilliance of the
high register. For instance, in meas. 28-29, crescendo in the descending lines and diminuendo going up.
In meas. 30, un peu
ralenti means a little slowing down. Although the score does not indicate a
tempo change, stretch the last four measures to achieve a sense of closure.
Good luck, or bonne
chance!
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