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Nish Music
“Semi”-ramide
For Flute Choir*
Giacchino Rossini
Arr. Judy Nishimura
*Piccolo, 4 C Flutes,
Alto Flute in G, Bass Flute,
and Optional Contrabass
“Semi”-ramide © 2009 ALRY Publications, Etc., Inc. Charlotte, NC. All rights reserved.
Everyone likes to play the crammed-with-notes Rossini overtures, but as a vehicle for flute choirs, the lack of tonal variation tends to make it more interesting for the players than the audience. My answer is to pack all the good stuff into a smaller package. The original overture is nearly 12 minutes long, but I’ve cut it in half—hence the name, “Semi”-ramide. All the great flute and piccolo solos have been retained, but the interminable repetitive crescendo passages have been cut down to move the piece along. It’s all the fun with only half the calories!
Also available from:
Available from ALRY Publications Catalog # FC-275
I guess Flute Talk Magazine liked this arrangement so much that Diane Boyd Schultz (Univ. of Alabama) reviewed it twice!
From the January, 2010 issue:
“...this rendering retains all of the prominent flute and piccolo solos (in the same key) but greatly reduces other portions of the overture. As with the original, it is imperative that the fast moving parts align exactly and the accompanying figures are light and bouncy. The addition of the optional contrabass flute is desirable for better balance.”
From the October, 2010 issue:
“...care should be taken to insure proper balance of the solo lines. For best effect, players should use great rhythmic precision and delicate staccato... Both players and audiences will enjoy this lively work.”