Schulhoff – Concertino for Flute, Viola, and Double Bass

^{Erwin Schulhoff (1894-1942)}

^{Concertino for Flute, Viola, and Double Bass (1925)}

^{If nothing else, Erwin Schulhoff was one of the 20th century’s most stylistically eclectic composers. Equally at home in the idiom of the late Romantics, the post-World War 1 avant-garde, popular music of the day (especially jazz), and folk music, he wrote quickly and frequently.}

^{The Concertino for Flute, Viola, and Double Bass demonstrates these tendencies. Composed in just four days – between May 28th and June 1st 1925 – its first movement opens with a flute melody that sounds like something out of Debussy (or maybe late Mahler) played over a string ostinato. Contrasting gestures are interspersed into the proceedings but this opening tune always returns.}

^{Schulhoff swapped out the flute for a piccolo in the second movement, which he also called a “Furiant.” There’s very little resemblance here, though, to any of Dvorak’s dances of the same name: everything’s far more rustic and gritty, just the sort of thing Bartók might have written on a good day.}

^{The flowing third movement is based on a Carpathian folk song. Its non-stop counterpoint remains impressively lyrical throughout and includes some devilishly high writing for both viola and bass.}

^{As in the second movement, something approaching authentic folk music permeates the short, brilliant Rondino-finale, with its acrobatics for all three players and imitation of a Moravian flute-seller’s call tucked into the middle.}

^{© Jonathan Blumhofer}

^{Reproduction Rights: This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the author.}