TAFFANEL, Paul

Fantaisie sur Der Freischütz by Weber for flute and piano

William Bennett, guest professor

Albina Ibraeva, student

Cameron Roberts, accompanying pianist

At the beginning, Professor Bennett talks about Der Freischütz plot. Taffanel took into account the Agatha's aria to compose this piece. It is very important the rhythm in piano part because it is the devil who comes. They work on phrasing and the relation with the breathing. The articulation and the dynamics are very important to get a good phrasing.
Bennett tells the student an anecdote of his biography.
In virtuosic passages, the notes are not as in Debussy's music, but clearer and articulated. He also explains the use of the vibrato and clarifies the most important notes in some phrases. After a long note, it is not necessary to remark the following sound. One passage in the piece leads to practice a specific exercise to improve the vibrato and the sound balance: Bennett recommends to practice the book 'De la Sonorité' by Marcel Moyse. Professor Bennett insists on keeping the tempo, without speeding up.

Language: English