Composing for flute ensembles : some observations based on a repertory survey, and the study of selected recent compositions

The main purpose of this dissertation is to discover and examine, from a composer's point of view, the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of ensembles comprised of only flutes. A secondary and complementary purpose is to study the flute ensemble repertory, as defined by a survey undertaken for this task. In fulfilment of the aforementioned primary purpose, eleven recent pieces have been selected for detailed study. These are first examined separately, and then compared, with reference to their use of specific musical elements. Also examined, are three flute ensemble compositions by the present writer, one of which was composed in parallel with this dissertation. A number of musical examples, referred to in the text in relation to both categories of works studied, are included immediately following the appendices. Appendix One contains a list of the works on which my examination of the flute ensemble repertoire is based. Appendix Two briefly examines the various sizes of flutes which may be encountered within this repertoire.