Programme
Charles Tomlinson Griffes — Poem for Flute and Piano
Gaubert —Ballade for Flute and Piano
Jean-Michel Damase — Sérénade for Flute and Piano
Patrick Williams Flute
Richard Shaw Piano
Performers
It is unsurprising that Patrick Williams’ musical journey has led him to repertoire such as that in today’s recital. His chief inspiration as a student at the Royal Manchester College of Music was his teacher, Geoffrey Gilbert. Through him, his flute ancestry extends unbroken back to those icons of the modern, French flute tradition, Taffanel and Gaubert; the latter Williams describes as “The Renoir of the Flute”. He began his professional life with the Ulster Orchestra, moving to Welsh National Opera and thence to Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet as Principal Flute for thirteen years. One outcome of his subsequent decision to become freelance is a small but well-received discography.
Williams and Shaw have given lecture-recitals at flute conventions in the UK and Canada, devoted to the music of Gaubert, whose philosophy was that the flute should mirror the human voice with all its expressive possibilities. Much of his music is little performed and for this recital, the Ballade is programmed with two other works whose titles suggest vocal rather than instrumental music.
There is insufficient space here to mention all the distinguished musicians and singers with whom pianist Richard Shaw has collaborated. He is a specialist in Chamber Music and accompanying and is staff accompanist at the Royal Academy of Music. He has a vast knowledge of the flute repertoire having worked as official accompanist for numerous flute conventions, competitions, recitals and recordings. Over a number of years, he has given generously of his time to young flautists, offering the same level of musical integrity and respect to the most inexperienced player as he does to professional musicians, literally accompanying each one on whatever musical journey they are making.
