Mikael Helasvuo & the Finnish RSO / Leif Segerstram / recording at Spotify

Einar Englund's (1916-1999) Flute Concerto (1985) is beyond dispute one of his greatest works. Its finest attributes are its rich melodic invention, colourful instrumentation and immediate message. Add to these its rewarding solo part, and the result is truly one of his best concertos - and works. He himself did not hesitate to regard it as such. It was premiered in Helsinki on September 16, 1985, having been completed at Ljugarn on the Swedish island of Gotland at the end of June. The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Leif Segerstam, and the soloist was the concerto's dedicatee, Mikael Helasvuo.

The Flute Concerto opens with a Ritornello in which the flute's playful, dance-like passages make sharp contrast with the orchestra's heroic stance. In the mellow Canzona which follows, the flute plays rhapsodically over repetitive orchestral figures. The work's "action-packed" finale hints at parody in its military march-like opening, but also gives rein to the lyricism already familiar from the second movement.

This product includes the solo flute part and the piano reduction. The orchestral study score (composer's manuscript) is available for sale (product number 9790550117471). The performance material is available for hire from the publisher.

Duration: c. 23'
Instrumentation of the orchestra: 3(III=picc)222-4330-14-harpsichord(+celesta)-hp-str