Chris Hill & Amy Butler

Performers

Notes on the performers

Christopher Hill is a multi-award-winning flautist. He graduated with a BA in Music from the University of Oxford, a MA from the University of Birmingham, and is currently studying for his PhD, using and expanding on his extensive knowledge of flute history, mechanics, and pedagogy. Chris currently studies with internationally renowned flautist Paul Edmund-Davies.

Chris has played in some of the finest venues in the UK, both as a soloist and as a member of an ensemble. He has performed recitals at venues including the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Southwell Minster and the House of Lords. He has also played in venues across Europe including The Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy.

Chris has won numerous regional and national competitions, and has been a woodwind category audition finalist three times in the BBC Young Musician of the Year, and has won a Gold Arts Award. For his services to music and supporting the cause of other young musicians and those with specific learning difficulties he has been awarded the Leicestershire Lord Lieutenant’s Award, Nottinghamshire’s Ten Outstanding Young People Award and the Princess Diana Award.

Amy Butler studied with British concert pianist Martin Roscoe and gained a first-class master’s degree from Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford. Amy has a particular passion for chamber music and she especially enjoys working collaboratively with other musicians. Regular concert partners include violinist Boglárka György and flautist Chris Hill; she also comprises one half of the Luna Piano Duo, alongside pianist Graziana Presicce.

Amy has performed for numerous venues and music societies across the UK, recent highlights include Stratford-upon-Avon Music Society, North Westmorland Arts, Warwick Arts Centre, Weymouth Chamber Concerts, St Mary’s Perivale (London), Sprotbrough Music Society, the Eric Coates Society and the Guild of Musicians and Singers (London). She is also a staff pianist for the East Riding Music Service.

Programme

Programme notes

Hamilton Harty (1879-1941)

In Ireland

Sir Herbert Hamilton Harty (1879 – 1941) was an Irish composer, conductor, pianist and organist. He composed In Ireland for flute and piano in 1918 shortly before he was appointed as principal conductor of the Halle. It was later revised by the composer for flute, harp and orchestra.

Source: Wikipedia

Philippe Gaubert (1879-1941)

Fantaisie

French musician, Philippe Gaubert was a distinguished flautist, respected conductor, and composer, primarily for the flute. He held a prominent career as a flautist with the Paris Opéra. He later established himself as a Professor of flute at the Conservatoire de Paris (professor of Marcel Moyse), Principal conductor of the Paris Opéra and Principal conductor of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire.

Source: Wikipedia

Otar Taktakishvili (1924-1989)

Sonata for flute and piano

1. Allegro cantabile
2. Aria: Moderato con moto
3. Allegro scherzando

Otar Taktakishvili was a prominent Georgian composer, teacher, conductor, and musicologist of the Soviet period. Although in the West Taktakishvili is perhaps best known for his 1968 Sonata for Flute and Piano, his works include two symphonies, four piano concertos, two violin concertos, two cello concertos, and operas (Mindia, First Love, The Abduction of the Moon, Mususi, Three Tales). He also wrote several symphonic poems and oratorios, as well as adaptations of Georgian folk songs and a multitude of compositions for instruments and voice.

Source: Wikipedia

Jules Mouquet (1867-1946)

La flûte de Pan

1. Pan et les bergers
2. Pan et les oiseaux
3. Pan et les nymphes

Mouquet’s main influences were the late Romantic and Impressionist composers. His best known work is probably his Sonata, Op. 15 La Flûte de Pan, composed in 1906, with versions for flute and orchestra, and flute and piano.

Source: Wikipedia