Lamasery Jigsaw

Lamasery Jigsaw is a larger-scale work for flute orchestra, beginning with a slow, atmospheric opening before launching into a rocking 12/8 Celtic-inspired jig.

It was my first piece written specifically with a substantial flute orchestra in mind, and received its premiere at the 2015 Australian Flute Festival in Canberra with an ensemble of more than 70 players, including 2 Contrabass Flutes, 5 Bass Flutes and 7 Alto Flutes.

The opening theme is an homage to Sir James Galway, borrowing his well-known warm-up melody, which Galway himself attributes to Luciano Pavarotti. That theme passes around the orchestra in both solo and tutti form, surrounded by atmospheric textures and contemporary flute techniques.

From there, the music gathers momentum into a fast, stylised jig, combining Celtic influence with contemporary and extended techniques in the accessible way that had already become part of my flute ensemble writing in The Flutewise Theme! and Single Yellow Line. The result has a distinctly Riverdance-ish energy, but with a much bigger flute-orchestra sound.

Quick details

• Large flute orchestra

• Atmospheric opening followed by a fast 12/8 Celtic-style jig

• Contemporary and extended flute techniques

• Compulsory Alto Flute, Bass Flute and Contrabass Flute

• Includes occasional divisi writing

• Best suited to a larger ensemble

• Ideally performed with 20 or more players

• Minimum practical ensemble size: approximately 12 players

• Particularly suited to flute festivals, university ensembles, advanced school groups and community flute orchestras

• Printed score purchasers can request complimentary PDF individual flute parts

Instrumentation & ensemble requirements

Unlike The Flutewise Theme! and Single Yellow Line, the low flute parts in Lamasery Jigsaw are not optional.

The work comprises:

• 4 x Concert Flute Parts (Flute 1&2 fairly advanced - Flute 3&4 deliberately more accessible)

• 1 x Alto Flute Part (fairly advanced)

• 1 x Bass Flute Part (fairly advanced)

• 1 x Contrabass Flute Part (fairly advanced)

Because of the divisi writing that appears from time to time, I recommend an ensemble of at least 12 players, although the piece really comes into its own with 20 players or more.

The premiere performance used a flute orchestra of more than 70 players, demonstrating just how effectively the piece can scale up for a large festival or massed-flute setting.

Player level

Overall level: Intermediate to Advanced

The writing combines accessible ensemble material with contemporary techniques, divisi passages and the greater independence required in a large flute orchestra setting.

Because of the compulsory low-flute parts and the scale of the ensemble writing, Lamasery Jigsaw is better suited to an established flute orchestra than to a very small or beginner ensemble.

Listen & learn

Below you can watch:

• the premiere performance from the 2015 Australian Flute Festival in Canberra

• my own multi-flute performance

• an instructional video demonstrating the extended techniques used in the work

These are particularly useful for conductors preparing the atmospheric opening and the contemporary techniques before tackling the fast jig section.

Printed score + complimentary PDF parts

If you purchase the printed score, you can also request a complimentary PDF set of the individual flute parts during checkout.

These are provided to save conductors and ensemble directors the need to photocopy individual parts from the printed score.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need alto, bass and contrabass flutes?
Yes. Unlike my earlier flute ensemble works, the Alto Flute, Bass Flute and Contrabass Flute parts are an integral part of Lamasery Jigsaw and are required for performance.

How many players do I need?
I recommend at least 12 players in order to cover the occasional divisi writing. The piece is particularly effective with 20 or more, and works extremely well with much larger flute orchestras.

Is this suitable for a small flute choir?
Not really. This is deliberately a larger-scale flute orchestra work and benefits from a substantial ensemble, particularly because of the required low flutes and divisi writing.

What level is Lamasery Jigsaw?
The overall level is best described as Intermediate to Advanced. Players need confidence in ensemble playing, and the work also uses contemporary and extended techniques.

Does the piece have an Irish or Celtic character?
Very much so. After the atmospheric opening, the second section becomes a fast 12/8 jig, combining contemporary flute techniques with a strong Celtic rhythmic character.

Does the piece use extended techniques?
Yes. Contemporary and extended flute techniques appear throughout the work, and an instructional video demonstrating them is included on this page.

Are individual PDF parts available with the printed score?
Yes. Purchasers of the printed score can request complimentary PDF individual flute parts when ordering.